Garments having stretchable and conductive ink

ABSTRACT

Methods of forming garments having one or more stretchable conductive ink patterns. Described herein are method of making garments (including compression garments) having one or more highly stretchable conductive ink pattern formed of a composite of an insulative adhesive, a conductive ink, and an intermediate gradient zone between the adhesive and conductive ink. The conductive ink typically includes between about 40-60% conductive particles, between about 30-50% binder; between about 3-7% solvent; and between about 3-7% thickener. The stretchable conductive ink patterns may be stretched more than twice their length without breaking or rupturing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority as a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/331,185, filed on Jul. 14, 2014, and titled“METHODS OF MAKING GARMENTS HAVING STRETCHABLE AND CONDUCTIVE INK,”Publication No. US-2014-0318699-A1, which claims priority as acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/023,830,filed on Sep. 11, 2013, and titled “WEARABLE COMMUNICATION PLATFORM,”Publication No. US-2014-0070957-A1, which claims the benefit of priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/699,440, filed Sep. 11,2012, and titled “SMARTWEAR SYSTEM,” and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/862,936, filed on Aug. 6, 2013, and titled “WEARABLECOMMUNICATION PLATFORM.” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/331,185also claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/950,782, filed on Mar. 10, 2014, and titled“PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING GARMENTS.”

The disclosures of each of these applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specificationare herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the sameextent as if each individual publication or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

FIELD

Described herein are wearable electronics formed of compression garmentsonto which stretchable and conductive ink is patterned. In particular,described herein are structures having enhanced conductivity andstretchability in which the conductive ink forms a partially-mixedgradient with an insulative and adhesive base that can be applieddirectly or transferred onto a compression fabric, and used to formwearable electronics.

BACKGROUND

In the last twenty years, the development of mobile telecommunicationsdevices have has dramatically expanded and modified the ways in whichpeople communicate. Computers with ever-faster computer processorsenabled faster communication with increased processing speed andimproved analysis of vast quantities of data. In addition, sensortechnology has also rapidly expanded how patients have been monitored,even by non-professionals. The development of various sensors enabled avariety of measurements to be taken and analyzed by a computer togenerate useful information. In recent years, the use of medical sensingtechnology in combination with various communications platforms hasprovided new and interesting ways for people, including patients, to bemonitored or to monitor themselves and communicate the results of themonitoring with their physician or caregiver. For example, mobiledevices such as smart phones have enabled mobile device users tocommunicate remotely and provided some ability to obtain, analyze, use,and control information and data. For example, a mobile device user maybe able to use application software (an “app”) for variousindividualized tasks, such as recording their medical history in adefined format, playing a game, reading a book, etc. An app may workwith a sensor in a mobile device to provide information that a userwants. For example, an app may work with an accelerometer in a smartphone and determine how far someone walked and how many calories wereburned during the walk.

The use of a mobile communications platform such as a smartphone withone or more such biometric sensors have been described in variouscontexts. For example, US2010/0292598 to Roschk et al. describes a“Device for Monitoring Physical Fitness” that is equipped with a heartrate monitor component for detecting heart rate data and an evaluationdevice for providing fitness information that can be displayed by adisplay device and is derived by a processing unit, embodied for readingin and including supplementary personal data. US2009/0157327 to Nissiladescribes an “Electronic Device, Arrangement, and Method of EstimatingFluid Loss” that is equipped with “an electronic device comprising: aprocessing unit configured to receive skin temperature data generated bya measuring unit, to receive performance data from a measuring unit, andto determine a theoretical fluid loss value on the basis of the receivedperformance data.”

Similarly, clothing that includes sensors have been previouslysuggested. See, e.g., US2007/0178716 to Glaser et al., which describes a“modular microelectronic-system” designed for use with wearableelectronics. US2012/0071039 to Debock et al. describes interconnect andtermination methodology fore-textiles that include a “conductive layerthat includes conductors includes a terminal and a base separatelyprovided from the terminal. The terminal has a mating end and a mountingend.” US2005/0029680 to Jung et al. describes a method and apparatus forthe integration of electronics in textiles.

For example, cardiovascular and other health-related problems, includingrespiratory problems may be detected by monitoring a patient. Monitoringmay allow early and effective intervention, and medical assistance maybe obtained based on monitored physiological characteristics before aparticular health issue becomes fatal. Unfortunately, most currentlyavailable cardiovascular and other types of health monitoring systemsare cumbersome and inconvenient (e.g., impractical for everyday use) andin particular, are difficult or impractical to use for long-termmonitoring, particularly in an unobtrusive manner.

It has been proposed that patient health parameters, including vitalsigns (such as ECG, respiration, blood oxygenation, heart rate, etc.)could be actively monitoring using one or more wearable monitors,however, to date such monitors have proven difficult to use andrelatively inaccurate. Ideally such monitors could be unobtrusively wornby the subject (e.g., as part of a garment, jewelry, or the like).Although such garments have been proposed, see, e.g., US 2012/0136231,these garments suffer from a number of deficits, including beinguncomfortable, difficult to use, and providing inaccurate results. Forexample, in applications such as US 2012/0136231, a number of individualelectrodes are positioned on the garment and connected to a processor bywoven conductive fibers or the like; although such garments “require . .. consistent and firm conductive contact with the subject's skin,” inorder to provide accurate readings, such designs require that thegarment be restrictive in order to prevent movement of the garment (andthus sensors) contacting these skin regions. Such a configurationrapidly becomes uncomfortable, particularly in a garment that wouldideally be worn for many hours or even days. In addition, even suchtightly worn garments often move relative to the wearer (e.g., slip orride up). Further, devices/garments such as those described in the priorart are difficult and expensive to manufacture, and are often rather“fragile”, preventing robust usage and washing. Finally, suchdevices/garments typically do not allow processing of manual user inputdirectly on the garment, but either relay entirely on passivemonitoring, or require an interface of some sort (including off-garmentinterfaces).

The use of garments including one or more sensors that may sensebiometric data have not found widespread use. In part, this may bebecause such garments may be limited in the kinds and versatility of theinputs that they accept, as well as limits in the comfort, and formfactor of the garment. For example, sensors, and the leads providingpower to and receiving signals from the sensors have not been fullyintegrated with the garment in a way that allows the garment to beflexible, attractive, practical, and above all, comfortable. Forexample, most such proposed garments have not been sufficientlystretchable. Finally, such proposed garments are also limited in thekind of data that they can receive, and how they process the receivedinformation.

Thus, existing garments (e.g., devices and wearable sensing apparatuses)and processes for analyzing and communicating the physical and emotionalstatus of an individual may be inaccurate, inadequate, limited in scope,unpleasant, and/or cumbersome.

What is needed are apparatuses (including garments) having one moresensors that may be comfortably worn, yet provide relatively accurateand movement-insensitive measurements over a sustained period of time.It would also be beneficial to provide garments that can be easily andinexpensively manufactured. Finally it may be beneficial to providegarments having a direct user interface that is on the garment, andparticularly interfaces which are formed as part of the garment(including the fabric).

In particular, what is needed is a stretchable and conductive patterns(e.g., traces) formed of a conductive ink that can be applied onto agarment either directly or indirectly (e.g., by a transfer process).These stretchable, conductive patterns may be used even with the moststretchable of fabrics (such as compression fabrics/compressiongarments) and moved through numerous stretch/relaxation cycles with theunderlying fabric without breaking and while maintaining a stable set ofelectrical properties such as conductance over time and use. Theapparatuses, including wearable devices (e.g., garments) and systemsincluding them described herein may address some or all of the problemsidentified above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Described herein are wearable devices (garments) that may detect andrespond to signals from the user (e.g. from a wearable “intelligent”garment) and that can communicate with the user (and/or others) and mayperform other useful functions. Also described herein are methods ofmaking and using such a wearable communication platform. For example,such a communication platform may be configured to accurately detect,process, compare, transfer and communicate, in real time, physiologicalsignals of the wearer (such as a person, an animal, etc.). A wearablecommunication platform may include an intelligent garment that is awearable item that has one or more sensors (such as for sensing acondition of a user) and that is capable of interacting with anothercomponent(s) of an intelligent apparel platform to create acommunication or other response or functionality based on the senseobtained by the sensor. Any of the garments described herein typicallyrefer to an item that can clothe a user's body, but for purposes herein,a garment may, in some variations, be understood to include any itemcapable of including the same features described herein. Thus, a garmentmay include footwear, gloves, and the like. In some variations thegarment is specified as a particular type of garment, such as anundergarment, and may be adapted for use in that context (e.g.,operating through additional layers of clothing, etc.). A wearablecommunication platform may include a wearable intelligent garment;sensors on the garment; flexible conductive connectors on the garment,and optionally a sensor module for managing the sensors and an output,such as a haptic output or audio (e.g., music) output based on sensorinput and which may be on the intelligent garment or may be separatefrom it. When the sensor module and/or output are separate from thegarment, the garment may be specifically adapted forconnection/communication or to secure to the sensor module and/oroutput. For example, the apparatus (garment) may include a holder,pocket, connector region, base, etc., for interfacing specifically withthe sensor module and/or output (or input/output module).

In some variations the wearable devices refer to sartorialcommunications apparatuses. Such wearable communications apparatus maybe referred to as continuously conforming to the wearer's body. As usedherein “continuously conform” may mean conforming and contacting to theskin surface, at least over a region of a material that conforms. Forexample, a garment that is configured to continuously conform mayinclude an inner surface (with sensors) that is held against the skin.Such a garment does not have to be tight or clinging, but may be biasedagainst the skin over all or a majority of the garment. Continuouslyconforming may refer to the fact that the sensor-containing regions ofthe garment conforms to the skin even as the subject moves while wearingthe garment. In a continuously conforming garment, a portion of thegarment (e.g., less than 30%, less than 20%, less than 10%, etc.) may bemore loosely conforming—e.g., underarms, lower back, joints (elbow,shoulders, etc.).

As used herein “physiological status” may refer to any parameterindicating the physiological status of the user. Typically relates tophysiological characteristics including vital signs, autonomic response,and the like.

As used herein a “body sensor” generally determines information aboutthe user without requiring the users conscious input. A body sensor maydetect physiological status, including vital signs (pulse/heart rate,blood pressure, body temperature, galvanic skin response (e.g., sweat),etc.). A body sensor may detect user position (e.g., arm position, bodyposition in space, posture, etc.). A body sensor may detect usermovement (e.g., movement of individual body parts (arms, legs, etc.)and/or movement of the entire user (e.g., rate of motion, direction ofmotion, altitude, etc.).

As used herein, an interactive sensor may mean a sensor that is manuallyactivated sensors that may be activated by touch. This may also bereferred to herein as volitional touch. Examples of volitional touchinclude manually touching a sensor or sensor contact region with a hand,foot, or other body part to cause activation of the sensor. Examples ofwhat is not meant by volitional touch may include incidental contactbetween the wearer's (users) body when wearing the garment. In somevariations the interactive sensors are touch point triggers or touchpoint sensors. “Manually activated” may refer to a pushing, rubbing,touching, tapping, or otherwise contacting with the hand or (in somevariations) other body part(s), such as the foot, arm, leg, face, jaw,nose, etc. In general volitional (manual) activation is performedconsciously by the user, and may in some variations also oralternatively be referred to as conscious or intentional activation. Forexample, the user may touch an interactive sensor with his/her hand fora period of time (e.g., seconds) to send a signal from that touch point.The signal may be coordinated with one or more other volitionalactivations, from the same or additional interactive sensors.Combinations or patterns of manual activation may be used to communicateor signal.

A wearable communication platform may include an intelligent garmentwhich may be any type of comfortable, conformable, and/or flexiblegarment. A wearable communication platform may include a garmentconfigured to be a shirt, pants, shorts, hat, etc. As mentioned, awearable communication platform may be configured to conform to a user'sbody. A wearable communication platform may hold or contain sensorswhich may be attached, for example, to an outside or to an inside of agarment or otherwise integrated into the garment. A wearablecommunication platform may include flexible conductive connectors thatmay carry a sensor signal from a sensor on the garment to a sensormodule or to another connector, such as a Kapton® connector and/orconductive thread.

A wearable communication platform may include sensors on or formed aspart of a garment which may be useful for providing signals to or froman intelligent communication platform. Such sensors may include bodysensors, interactive (e.g., touchpoint or touch point) sensors, and/orhaptic sensors. A body sensor may sense a user's aspect, such as auser's position, a user's movement, and/or a user's physiologicalstatus.

A wearable communication platform useful for producing/outputtingsignals may include a flexible conductive connector for transferring asignal between sensor and a sensor module or away from a sensor module.A conductive trace useful as a flexible conductive connector may includea conductive media (conductive ink) and an insulator.

A wearable communication platform may include a sensor module that is inproximity with, attached to, or within the rest of the garment and maybe configured (either alone, or in conjunction with another component)to generate an output, such as a haptic output or an audio and/or visualoutput based on sensor input(s). The output, which may include aspeaker, haptic output or the like, may be on the garment, integratedwith the garment, or it may be separate from it.

A wearable communication platform may also include: specially designedapparel and/or accessories, an intelligent garment platform powerdistribution and conductive control system that controls theapparel/accessory and interfaces with a sensor module, an internet orother communication system for interacting directly with a cloud, anenabled intelligent device such as an smart phone (iPhone, Android,etc.) and that may be a separate device or built into the apparel, andmay be running specially developed software applications for functionalactivity, data capturing and analysis, validation, programming,downloading and uploading, activations, social connectivity, sharing,and distribution, and/or a feedback mechanism for consumer, commercial,medical, and industrial applications. In some variations the sensormodule is a smartphone adapted for use with the wearable communicationplatform, e.g., running a program (e.g., an app) that configures thesmartphone to communicate (input and/or output) with the wearablecommunication platform, including receiving and/or processing inputsfrom the wearable communication platform.

One aspect of the invention provides a flexible garment configured tocontinuously conform to a user's body when the garment is worn by theuser, the garment including a body sensor on the garment configured tosense one of a user's position, a user's movement, and a user'sphysiological status and thereby generate a body sensor signal; aconductive trace on the garment, connected with the sensor andconfigured to communicate the body sensor signal from the body sensor toa sensor module for analysis; and an interactive sensor on the garmentconfigured to transmit an interactive sensor signal to the sensor modulewhen the user's hand activates the interactive sensor to control anaudio output and/or a visual output in response to the interactivesensor signal.

In general, a garment may include a shirt, pants, underwear, a hat, etc.It may be made of any comfortable material that can support componentssuch as haptic actuators, sensors, and a sensor module. Such componentsmay be flexible and/or conformable in one or more dimensions so as tomaintain the comfort of the garment. A flexible garment may be wornunder a user's regular street clothes or it may be worn on the outsidewhere it may be visible to others. A conductive trace may be, forexample, a conductive media (a conductive ink), a conductive cable,conductive metal particles, etc. An interactive sensor may, for example,be activated by a touch of a user's hand or by near proximity of auser's hand. An output may be any sort and may be on an intelligentgarment such as a video screen, may be on a communication collarconnected with the garment and configured to provide an audio signal toa user's ears, on a smart phone, on a separate speaker, etc.

In some embodiments, the flexible garment includes a compressivematerial. In some embodiments, the flexible garment is configured toexpand and contract. In some embodiments, the flexible garment includesa first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis whereinthe garment is configured to change in size along the first axis and tosubstantially maintain a size along the second axis. In someembodiments, flexible garment includes at least one of pants, a shirt,or shorts. In some embodiments, the flexible garment includes a shirthaving a front and a back, and further includes a pocket configured tohold a sensor module on the back of the shirt.

In some embodiments, the body sensor is in electrical contact with theskin of the individual. In some embodiments, the sensor includes one ofan accelerometer, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, anelectroencephalography sensor (EEG), and a respiratory sensor. In someembodiments, the body sensor includes a first sensor, and the garmentfurther includes a second sensor configured to sense one of a user'sposition, a user's movement, and a user's physiological status andthereby generate a second body sensor signal. In some embodiments, theconductive trace is configured to conform to the user's body when theflexible garment is worn by the user. In some embodiments, theconductive trace is on a surface of the garment. In some embodiments,the flexible garment further includes a seam enclosing the conductivetrace.

In some embodiments, the interactive sensor is configured to transmit afirst interactive sensor signal when the user's hand activates theinteractive sensor once and to transmit a second interactive sensorsignal when the user's hand activates the interactive sensor twice insuccession wherein the first interactive sensor signal is different fromthe second interactive sensor signal. In some such embodiments, theflexible garment further includes a plurality of interactive sensorswherein the first interactive sensor is configured to send a firstinteractive sensor signal and the second interactive sensor isconfigured to send a second interactive sensor signal which is differentfrom the first interactive sensor signal. In some of these embodiments,the interactive sensors are on a front of the garment.

In some embodiments, the sensor module is configured to control amicrophone or a music playing device in response to the interactivesensor signal.

In some embodiments, the garment, the body sensor, the conductive trace,and the interactive sensor are configured to withstand immersion inwater. Thus, in general, the wearable communication platforms describedherein may be washed (e.g., washed in water).

The interactive sensor may be configured to be activated by a user'shand through an intervening layer of clothing.

A flexible, compressive garment may be configured to continuouslyconform to a user's body when worn by the user. A flexible, compressivegarment (e.g., shirt) may be configured to move with a user's body. Abody sensor may be, for example, a printed sensor or a physical sensorand may be sufficiently flexible or extensible in at least one directionin order to maintain the flexibility of the shirt. A body sensor may be,for example an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetoscope, and maydetect, for example, a user's respiratory rate, heart rate, skinconductivity, movement, position in space, inspiratory time, expiratorytime, tidal volume, perspiration, pulse, moisture, humidity, elongation,stress, glucose level, pH, resistance, motion, temperature, impact,speed, cadence, proximity, flexibility, movement, velocity,acceleration, posture, relative motion between limbs and trunk,location, responses to transdermal activation, electrical activity ofthe brain, electrical activity of muscles, arterial oxygen saturation,muscle oxygenation, oxyhemoglobin concentration, deoxyhemoglobinconcentration, etc. A sensor module may be configured for managing andcontrolling power, body sensors, memory, external data, interactivesensors, body “expressions”, feedback, transdermal control processes,module enhancements, social media, software development, etc. Aninteractive sensor (“touchpoint”) may be activated by touching or byrelative proximity of a user's hand or other item (even though one ormore layer of clothing).

A wearable, flexible garment may include: a body sensor on the garmentconfigured to sense one of a wearer's position, a wearer's movement, anda wearer's physiological status and thereby generate a body sensorsignal; a conductive trace on the garment, connected with the sensor andconfigured to communicate the body sensor signal from the sensor to asensor module for analysis; an interactive sensor on the garmentconfigured to transmit an interactive sensor signal to the sensor modulewhen the wearer's hand activates the interactive sensor wherein thesensor module is configured to control an audio output and/or a visualoutput in response to the interactive sensor signal; a pocket on thegarment configured to removably contain the sensor module; and a sensormodule for receiving the body sensor signal from the body sensor,processing the signal to generate an output signal, and outputting theoutput signal to thereby provide a feedback output. The wearableflexible garment may be configured to continuously conform to a wearer'sbody when the flexible garment is worn by the wearer. In someembodiments, the garment is configured to be worn on the wearer's torso.

The flexible garment may include a plurality of body sensors forgenerating a plurality of body sensor signals, and the body sensors areconnected with a plurality of conductive traces, wherein the sensormodule is configured to receive the plurality of signals from theplurality of conductive traces and process the signals to generate afeedback output wherein the feedback output comprises one of an audiooutput, a visual output, and a tactile output. Some such embodimentsfurther include one of a speaker and an earphone connected with thesensor module wherein the audio output comprises a music outputconfigured to be sent to the earphone or speaker.

In some embodiments, the output signal is configured to be sent toanother individual, a computer, or a website.

In some embodiments, the garment further includes a haptic actuatorconfigured to provide a tactile sensation to the wearer based on theoutput signal. A second garment in electrical communication with thefirst garment may be used. The first garment may include a shirt and thesecond garment may include one of pants or shorts.

Some embodiments further include a communications device including: acollar comprising a microphone or a speaker and configured to wrappartially around a wearer's neck; and a base region connected with thecollar and configured to connect with and provide electricalcommunication between the sensor module and at least one of amicrophone, an earphone, and a speaker.

Also described herein are methods of manufacturing the garmentsdescribed herein. For example, a method of manufacturing a flexiblecompressive garment including the steps of: placing a first insulatingfluid media onto a substrate, the fluid comprising an adhesive; placinga conductive material on the first insulating fluid media to therebycreate a conductive material electrical trace; solidifying the firstinsulating fluid media to create a first flexible insulator region andthereby generate a flexible transfer comprising a conductive materialelectrical trace wherein the transfer is configured to be removed intactfrom the substrate; removing the transfer from the substrate; placingthe transfer on a flexible compressive garment; attaching the transferto the flexible garment; electrically connecting the transfer to asensor on the flexible garment wherein the transfer is configured to beconnected with a sensor module.

A flexible transfer may be manufactured separately on a substrate andsubsequently transferred to an intelligent garment. Such a trace may beplace on the outside of the garment, on the inside of a garment, or inbetween two or more layers. A trace may be elongated, a plate or seriesof plates, a spiral, a zigzag etc.

In some embodiments, the solidifying step includes generating aconformable transfer. Some embodiments further include the step ofplacing a second insulating fluid media on the conductive material afterthe solidifying step, the method further comprising solidifying thesecond insulating fluid media to thereby create a second flexibleinsulator region. In some such embodiments, the first insulating fluidmedia and the second insulating media include the same material.

In some embodiments wherein the conductive material includes aconductive fluid media, the method further includes solidifying theconductive fluid media. In some embodiments placing a conductivematerial on the first insulating fluid includes placing conductiveparticles on the first insulating media. In some embodiments, placing aconductive material includes placing a conductive wire on the firstinsulating media.

In some embodiments, attaching the transfer to the flexible garmentincludes adhering the transfer with an adhesive. In some embodiments,attaching the transfer to the flexible garment includes sealing thetransfer in a seam in the garment.

A method of manufacturing a garment may include: placing an insulatingfluid media onto a transfer substrate, the fluid comprising an adhesive;placing a conductive material on the first insulating fluid media tocreate a conductive electrical pattern; solidifying the first insulatingfluid media to create a flexible insulated connective pattern; andremoving the insulated conductive pattern from the transfer substrateand attaching the insulated conductive trace on a flexible compressivegarment.

Any of the methods of manufacturing the garments described herein (e.g.,sartorial communications apparatuses) may include placing additionalinsulating fluid media on the conductive material and solidifying thesecond insulating fluid media. The conductive material may comprise aconductive fluid media, and any of the methods may further comprisesolidifying the conductive fluid media. Placing a conductive material onthe insulating fluid may comprise placing conductive particles on theinsulating media. Placing a conductive material may comprise placing aconductive wire on the insulating media.

Attaching the transfer to the flexible garment may comprise adhering theinsulated conductive trace to the garment with an adhesive. Attachingthe transfer to the flexible garment may comprise sealing the insulatedconductive trace in a seam in the garment. In general, removing theinsulated conductive trace from the transfer substrate and attaching theinsulated conductive trace on the flexible compressive garment maycomprise applying heat to transfer the insulated conductive trace to thegarment.

Another aspect of the invention provides a wearable communicationsdevice including: a collar configured to wrap at least partially arounda user's neck and to hold a shape and including at least one of aspeaker and a microphone; and a base region connected with the collarand configured to provide electrical communication between a sensormodule and the collar wherein the sensor module is configured to connectwith a conformable garment including a plurality of body sensors. Acollar may be configured (and referred to as) an input/output collar.

For example, an output/input collar for a sartorial communicationsapparatus may include: a collar body configured to wrap at leastpartially around a user's neck; a microphone within a housing of thecollar body; and a speaker output within the housing of the collar body;and a base region configured to connect the collar body to a garment andto provide electrical communication between a sensor module on thegarment and the input/output collar when the sensor module is connectedwith a plurality of body sensors on the garment.

In some embodiments, the collar and/or communications device furtherincludes an earphone. For example, the earphone (an audio output) may beconnected with a base region of the collar. Some such embodimentsfurther include a sensor module connected with the base region andconfigured to provide an audio output signal to the base region whereinthe base region is configured to communicate the audio output signal toat least one of the collar and the earphone. In some such embodiments,the sensor module and the base region are rigidly connected together.

As mentioned, the apparatuses described herein may be washed. Thus, alsodescribed herein are methods of washing any of the wearablecommunications platform apparatus (sartorial communications apparatuses)described herein. A method of washing may include: placing the wearablecommunications apparatus (e.g. having one or more interactive sensors)into an aqueous solution (e.g., a washing machine) with a cleaning agent(e.g., detergent); and moving the garment through the aqueous solutionand cleaning agent; rinsing (e.g., in water), and/or separating theconformable garment from the aqueous solution and cleaning agent; anddrying the conformable garment. The method of washing may also includeremoving an input/output collar and/or removing the sensor module.

In some embodiments, the cleaning agent includes a detergent and themethod further includes rinsing the conformable garment with an aqueoussolution after the separating step.

Methods of using sartorial communications apparatuses are alsodescribed. In general, these devices may be worn by a user (e.g.,subject, person, patient, etc.). The apparatus may be worn with asensing module attached; in some variations this may include placing thesensing module in a pocket or other retainer on the apparatus. Theapparatus maybe worn beneath clothing (as an undergarment). In use, thegarment may sense/detect volitional inputs from the use on one or moretouch points (e.g., an interactive sensor). The apparatus may detect oneor more of a user's body position, movement, and physiological statuswith a body sensor. The sensed information may be passed to the sensormodule through the conductive traces integrated into the garment. Oncereceived by the sensor module, the sensor module may store, analyzeand/or transmit the sensed information. In general the volitionalcontact signal(s) may be used to modify the operation and/or output ofthe sensor module and therefore the sartorial communications device. Thesensor module may prepare an output based on the sensed signal(s). Forexample, the output may be related to the body sensor signal(s).Examples may include outputting an audio and/or visual output. Theoutput may be a representation of the sensed signal (e.g., heartbeat,respiratory rate, etc.) or it may be determined or modified by thesensed signal. For example, the output may be a musical output that iscorrelated with the sensed signal.

Another aspect of the invention provides method of providing feedbackfor encouraging behavior modification. For example, a sartorialcommunications system may be configured to provide biofeedback. In onevariation the system may be configured to help improve posture. Forexample, one method of using the apparatus may include a method ofmodifying a behavior of a person wearing a sartorial communicationsapparatus, wherein the sartorial communications apparatus comprises acompression garment including a haptic feedback and a plurality of bodysensors integrated in the garment. The method may include: sensing oneor more of the person's body position, movement, and physiologicalstatus with the plurality of body sensors; transmitting sensor signalsfrom the body sensors to a sensor module attached to the garment;generating an output signal based on the sensor signals; converting theoutput signal into a feedback for output by the haptic feedback on thegarment; and delivering the haptic feedback to encourage the person tomodify a behavior.

In some embodiments wherein plurality of signals comprises a bodyposition signal, the step of delivering the haptic feedback includesdelivering a vibration to the individual to encourage the individual tochange a position. In some embodiments, communicating the feedbackoutput includes providing a haptic feedback.

Also described herein are sartorial communications apparatuses thatinclude one or more interactive sensors arranged on the garment thatallow the user wearing the garment to provide input to the sartorialcommunications apparatus even through multiple layers of clothing. Forexample, a sartorial communications apparatus may include: a flexiblegarment comprising a fabric; a plurality of interactive sensorsintegrated into the garment, each configured to sense a volitionalcontact by the user and to generate a volitional contact signal when theuser manually contacts one or the interactive sensors; a sensor moduleinterface configured to connect to a sensor module for receiving andanalyzing, transmitting or analyzing and transmitting the volitionalcontact signals; and a plurality of conductive traces on the garmentconnecting the interactive sensors to the sensor module interface.

In any of the sartorial communications apparatus described herein, theapparatus may also include a plurality of surface regions on thegarment, wherein each surface region corresponds to a contact surfacefor one of the interactive sensors. Each of the plurality of surfaceregions may comprise a visual marker on the fabric of the garmentindicating the location of the interactive sensor corresponding to thesurface region. For example, each surface region corresponding to atouch point (interactive sensor) contact surface may be marked by acolor, icon, or the like. In some variations, the contact surfaceinclude a tactile marker, such as a textured or raised region. Thecontact surface of an interactive sensor may be any appropriate size.For example, a contact surface for an interactive sensor may be betweenabout 10 mm and about 150 mm in diameter. In general, an interactivesensor (also referred to as a touchpoint sensor) may be configured sothat it can only be activated by contact with the outwardly-facing sideof the sensor (e.g., the side of the sensor that faced away from thebody when the garment is worn).

Any of the sartorial communication apparatus described herein may alsoinclude at least one body sensor on the garment configured to generate abody sensor signal describing one or more of the user's position, theuser's movement, and the user's physiological status. The body sensormay include one (or more) of: an accelerometer, an electrocardiogram(ECG) sensor, an electroencephalography sensor (EEG), and a respiratorysensor.

In any of the variations of wearable communication platforms (sartorialcommunications apparatuses) described herein the flexible garment maycomprise a compression garment that is configured to continuouslyconform to a user's body when the garment is worn by the user. Ingeneral, the flexible garment may include a first axis and a second axisperpendicular to the first axis wherein the garment is configured tostretch in size in the first axis but not to substantially stretch inthe second axis. The conductive traces may extend substantially in oneaxis (e.g., in the second axis). Alternatively or additionally, thegarment may be configured so that different regions of the garment areconfigured to stretch in a first direction but not in a second(substantially perpendicular) direction, or to not stretch in anydirection; these different regions may be adjacent and the stretch vs.non-stretch regions may have different orientations, so that they do notall extend in the same axis relative to the garment. The conductivetraces may extend substantially along the non-stretch directions of eachregion.

As mentioned, the garment may be configured as any garment type,including, but not limited to, undergarments. For example, the garmentmay be configured as an undershirt. Also in general, the garment of theapparatus may be configured to have a front and a back. The sensormodule interface may include a pocket configured to hold the sensormodule; the pocket may be on the back (e.g., the upper back region) ofthe garment.

In general, the conductive trace may include a conductive ink layer onan inner surface of the garment, an outer surface of the garment, or onthe inner and outer surfaces of the garment. As mentioned, in somevariations the conductive trace is flexible and/or stretchable. In somevariations the conductive trace is flexible but not stretchable. Any ofthe variations of the apparatuses described herein may include a seamenclosing the conductive trace.

In any of the variations described herein, an interactive sensor may beconfigured to transmit a first interactive sensor signal when manuallyactivated by a first pattern of contact and to transmit a secondinteractive sensor signal when manually activated by a second pattern ofcontact, wherein the first interactive sensor signal is different fromthe second interactive sensor signal. For example, the sensor may beconfigured so a single touch will send a first signal and a series oftwo touches within a certain time period may result in a second(distinct from the first) signal.

The interactive sensors may be placed anywhere on the garment. Forexample, the interactive sensors may be arranged on a front of thegarment.

In general, the interactive sensor are configured to be manuallyactivated by a user even through an intervening layer of clothing. Thismeans that even when a user is wearing the sartorial communicationsapparatus underneath another garment or garments (e.g., a shirt), avolitional contact to the sensor (e.g., the region of the sensor overthe contact surface) on the shirt over the garment forming the sartorialcommunications apparatus may result in activation of the touch pointsensor.

The interactive (touch point) sensors described herein may comprisecapacitive or inductive sensors.

A sartorial communications apparatus may include an undershirtcomprising a fabric; a plurality of interactive sensors integrated intothe undershirt, each configured to sense a volitional contact by theuser through an intervening layer of clothing and to generate avolitional contact signal when the user manually contacts one or theinteractive sensors, wherein the interactive sensors are capacitive orinductive sensors; a sensor module interface configured to connect to asensor module for receiving and analyzing, transmitting or analyzing andtransmitting the volitional contact signals; and a plurality ofconductive traces on the garment connecting the interactive sensors tothe sensor module interface.

Methods of communicating with sartorial communications apparatuses arealso described. For example, a method of communicating with a sartorialcommunications apparatus, wherein the sartorial communications apparatuscomprises a garment including an interactive sensor integrated in thegarment and connected via an integrated conductive trace with a sensormodule, may include the steps of: sensing one or more volitional contactsignals with the interactive sensor when a user touches the interactivesensor through an intervening layer of clothing; transmitting thevolitional contact signal from the interactive sensor to the sensormodule; and generating or modifying an output from the sensor module inresponse to the volitional contact signal. The method may also includepresenting the output from the sensor module in response to thevolitional contact signals. For example, the output may comprise anaudible signal, and/or a visible signal.

Specific examples of the kinds of apparatuses (e.g., devices andsystems, including garments) that are described herein includephysiological parameter monitoring garments having sensors formed ofprinted conductive ink on a compression garment that are arranged andconfigured for robust sensing and comfortable wear. In particular, thegarments (e.g., shirts, pants, undergarments) described herein areconfigured to allow robust sensing of one or more physiologicalparameter using a conductive ink sensor printed directly onto thegarment and connected by a conductive trace (which may or may not bereinforced on the garment) to an interface region of the garment whichmay connect to an analysis unit such as a microprocessor that isconfigured to measure, store, process and/or transmit the recordedparameter(s).

For example, described herein are shirts adapted to continuously monitorthe regional respiration of a wearer. A shirt for monitoring respirationmay include: a shirt body comprising a fabric, wherein the body isconfigured as a compression garment that expands and contracts to holdthe shirt against the wearer's torso; a plurality of respiratory sensorsarranged on different regions of the body, wherein each respiratorysensor comprises: a plurality of generally parallel conductive inktraces printed on an outer portion of the body; and a regionalconductive connector, wherein each of the generally parallel conductiveink traces connect to the regional conductive connector; and aninterface (e.g., module interface) located on the body, wherein theregional conductive connector for each respiratory sensor connects tothe interface, further wherein the interface is configured to connectwith a processor (e.g., sensor manager unit) to detect electricalresistance from each of the conductive connectors.

In general, the respiratory sensors regional. Different regions (e.g.,quadrants) of the shirt body may be covered by different sensors,permitting detection and monitoring of “regional” respiration. As theshirt (which is fit snugly to the body) expands and contracts with awearer's respiratory effort, region respiration (movement) is detectedby a variation in the resistance of the conductive ink traces in each ofthe different regions. The plurality of generally parallel conductiveink traces comprise between three and 50 parallel traces. Sensing by therespiratory sensors may be particularly robust by arranging multiple(e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,20, 25, 30, 35, etc.) conductive ink traces in an approximately parallelfashion across the region of the shirt body; each of these paralleltraces is connected (in parallel) to the region conductive connector(and on the other end to a reference, e.g., reference line), effectivelydetermining the overall resistance from the parallel resistance, e.g.,R_(total)=(product of all resistance for each trace)/(sum of eachresistance for each trace).

In some variations the shirt is configured to detect the respiration offfour regions (e.g., anterior/posterior and pectoral/abdominal regions;or pectoral/abdominal and left/right regions, etc.). In some variationsthe respiratory sensors comprise eight respiratory sensors, sensingeight regions (anterior/posterior, pectoral/abdominal and left/rightregions). In general, the plurality of respiratory sensors may beseparately arranged in anterior or posterior, upper or lower, right orleft regions of the body. More than eight regions may be determined aswell (e.g., dividing the body into further subdivisions); the regions donot need to be the same size.

The plurality of generally parallel conductive ink traces are eachstretchable traces; stretching of the conductive ink typically changesthe resistance (detecting stretch, and thereby respiration). Theplurality of generally parallel conductive ink traces may be printed onthe outer portion of the body in any pattern. For example, the tracesmay be printed as parallel straight lines, zig-zag lines, curved lines,e.g., for example, the traces may be printed in an undulating pattern.In general, the plurality of generally parallel conductive ink tracesmay be configured create varying electrical resistance through thetraces as the subject breathes; for example, the lines may extend in adirection that will be transverse to the patient's body (across thechest) when the shirt is worn.

As mentioned, the plurality of respiratory sensors may comprise areference line to which each of the generally parallel conductive inktraces connect at an opposite end of the generally parallel conductiveink trace from the regional conductive connector. The reference line maybe a “ground”. The reference line typically also connects to theinterface (and ultimately the processor that is detecting the change inresistance of the lines due to respiration).

Each respiratory sensor may be configured to average the variableelectrical resistance in the plurality of generally parallel conductiveink traces forming the respiratory sensor. Thus a very small current orvoltage may be applied across the conductive traces to determine thechange in resistance with respiration. The conductive traces maygenerally be insulated (e.g., prevented from contacting the wearer'sskin directly and/or shorting due to sweat, etc.).

Any of the shirts described herein may also include a user input, suchas a touchpoint sensor at a touchpoint location on the body, configuredto sense when the wearer touches the shirt at the touchpoint location.The touchpoint sensor may be used as an input and/or control for thedevice. For example, the user may “mark” a time when something occurs,such as a shortness of breath, or other respiratory episode, or toindicate when activity is increasing (e.g., exercising, etc.) ordecreasing, or to start/stop/pause, etc. the recording and/or analysisof respiration, or to save, transmit, process, etc. detected regionalrespiration. Multiple touchpoint sensors may be used.

The shirt may also include one or more additional sensors, such as aheart rate sensor. For example, the shirt may include a conductive inkelectrode on an inner surface of the body configured to contact thewearer's skin, and an electrode conductive connector extending from theconductive ink electrode to the module interface. The electrode may beused to detect heart rate, or the like. Multiple electrodes may be used(e.g., an electrode pair). For example, the conductive ink electrode maybe located on a sleeve of the shirt (or sleeves).

The shirt may also include a holder (e.g., pocket) on the bodyconfigured to hold a sensor manager unit in connection with the moduleinterface.

Other sensors that may be used include any other activity/motion sensor(e.g., an accelerometer). The other sensors may be on the shirt and/orconnected to the shirt of directly to or part of the processor receivingthe signals from the sensors.

The regional conductive connectors typically comprise a conductivematerial on a substrate that is attached to the body. The substrate maysupport the conductive material and may interface with the garment sothat the conductive ink is electrically coupled with the conductivematerial forming the connector. For example, the substrate may be apolymeric material. Irksome variations (e.g., see Appendix A) thesubstrate is Kapton.

Also described herein are methods of sensing regional respiration usingshirts configured as described above. For example, a method of detectingregion respiration may include wearing any of the shirts describedherein, and receiving/transmitting/storing/analyzing the variations inresistance through the conductive ink traces arranged in parallel indifferent (typically non-overlapping) regions on the body of the search.

Also described herein are garments (e.g., shirts and/or pants) that areconfigured to continuously monitor a wearer's electrocardiogram (ECG).For example, a shirt may include: a body comprising a fabric, whereinthe body is configured as a compression garment that expands andcontracts to hold the shirt against the wearer's torso; a first set ofsix electrical sensors arranged on the body in a first curve extendingacross the left pectoral region of the wearer's chest when the shirt isworn, wherein each electrical sensor comprises a conductive inkelectrode printed on an inner surface of the body; a second (redundant)set of six electrical sensors arranged on the body in a second curvethat is adjacent to the second curve; a support harness region of thebody extending from a neck region and overlying the first and secondsets of electrical sensors; a right arm electrode formed from conductiveink printed on an inner surface of the body; and a left arm electrodeformed from conductive ink printed on an inner surface of the body;wherein each electrical sensor is connected to an interface on the bodyby a conductive extending from the electrical sensor to the interfaceand further wherein the interface is configured to connect with a sensormanager unit to detect electrical activity from each of the electricalsensors, the right arm electrode and the left arm electrode.

In general such shirts may provide multiple electrodes on the chest(pectoral region) that may be connected (e.g., in parallel) to act asindividual leads (e.g., V1-V6) for the chest electrodes of a 12-leadECG. The apparatus may be configured to robustly detect the signal evenif there is a shifting or movement of the electrodes as the garmentmoves on the body of the wearer. Further, the garment may be comfortablyheld in position, and the position of the electrodes held relativelyfixedly, even where the curvature of the wearer's body may otherwiseprevent good contact between the wearer and the electrodes, by theadditional support region of the body of the garment (e.g., theyoke/harness support).

Any of the garments described herein may also be referred to as wearableelectronics devices. As mentioned, these devices (garments) maytypically include: a compression fabric and at least one stretchable andconductive ink pattern on the garment. The conductive ink patterntypically includes a layer of conductive ink and a layer of (insulating)adhesive, and an intermediate zone between the two where the conductiveink and the elastic adhesive are partially combined, for example in agradient region. The intermediate zone may be approximately as thick asthe conductive ink layer, while the adhesive layer maybe thicker.

For example, a conductive ink pattern may include: a layer of conductiveink having: between about 40-60% conductive particles, between about30-50% binder; between about 3-7% solvent; and between about 3-7%thickener; a layer of an elastic adhesive on the garment; and a gradientregion between the conductive ink and the adhesive, the gradient regioncomprising a nonhomogeneous mixture of the conductive ink and theadhesive wherein the concentration of conductive ink decreases from aregion closer to the layer of conductive ink to the layer of elasticadhesive.

In general, the compression garments described herein may be configuredto exert a pressure of between about 3 mm Hg and about 70 mmHg on asubject's body surface to allow a stable and continuous positioning ofthe garment onto the subject's body.

The composition of the conductive ink portion may typically includeconductive particles in a binder, thickener and solvent, as mentioned.The conductive particles may comprise particles of carbon black, or ofone or more of: carbon black, graphene, graphite, silver metal powder,copper metal powder, or iron metal powder. The binder typicallycomprises formaldehyde-free binder, for example, acrylic binder. Thesolvent may be, for example, propylene glycol. An example of a thickeneris polyurethanic thickener.

In general, any appropriate adhesive (e.g., elastic adhesive) may beused. For example, an elastic adhesive may include a thermo-adhesivewater-based glue that is electrically insulative. In any of thesevariations, an insulating resin may be positioned at least partiallyover the layer of conductive ink.

The conductive ink pattern may include a plurality of layers of theconductive ink.

The thickness of the layer of the elastic adhesive may be greater thanthe thickness of the gradient region and the thickness of the gradientregion may be approximately the same or greater than the thickness ofthe conductive ink. For example, the ratio of elastic adhesive tointermediate (gradient) region to conductive ink may be approximately1.1 to 5 (adhesive):0.8 to 1.2 (intermediate region):0.5 to 1.2(conductive ink). In one example, the thickness of the ink portion ofthe conductive ink pattern is between about 30-70 μm, the thickness ofthe transition zone (the gradient/intermediate region) is between about30-90 μm, and the thickness of the adhesive (glue) region is betweenabout 100 to 200 μm.

In general, the resistivity of the conductive trace may be less thanabout 10 Kohms/square. For example, the bulk resistivity may be betweenabout 0.2 to about 20 ohms*cm, and the sheet resistivity may be betweenabout 100 to 10,000 ohms/square (ohms per square). In one example thebulk resistivity was measured as 11.5 ohms*cm and sheet resistivity at1913 ohms/square. The resistivity of the conductive pattern may varywith applied stretch.

In general, the resulting conductive ink patterns are extremelystretchable, while maintaining their electrical properties and withoutbreaking. For example, the conductive ink pattern may be configured tostretch up to 500% of a resting length without breaking.

Any of the conductive ink patterns described herein may be formed as allor part of a sensor, a trace, and/or as an electrode. The conductive inkpattern may be connected to another (e.g., more rigid) conductivematerial. For example a conductive ink pattern may be connected to asensor module or interface for a sensor module using a conductive inkpattern formed as a trace or by connecting to a conductive thread orwire that is also attached to the garment. For example, a device(garment) as described herein may include a conductive thread coupled tothe garment and connected at one end to the conductive ink pattern.

A wearable electronics devices may include: a garment comprising acompression fabric; and at least one stretchable and conductive inkpattern on the garment having a sheet resistivity of less than about 10Kohms/square, wherein the conductive ink pattern is stretchable up to atleast about 200% without breaking, and comprises: a layer of conductiveink having: between about 40-60% conductive particles, between about30-50% binder; between about 3-7% solvent; and between about 3-7%thickener; a layer of an elastic adhesive on the garment; a gradientregion between the conductive ink and the adhesive, the gradient regioncomprising a nonhomogeneous mixture of the conductive ink and theadhesive wherein the concentration of conductive ink decreases from aregion closer to the layer of conductive ink to the layer of elasticadhesive; and an insulating resin over at least a portion of the layerof conductive ink.

A wearable electronics device may include: a garment comprising acompression fabric; at least one stretchable and conductive ink patternon the garment, wherein the conductive ink pattern comprises: a layer ofconductive ink having: between about 40-60% conductive particles,between about 30-50% binder; between about 3-7% solvent; and betweenabout 3-7% thickener; a layer of an elastic adhesive on the garment; anda gradient region between the conductive ink and the adhesive, thegradient region comprising a nonhomogeneous mixture of the conductiveink and the adhesive wherein the concentration of conductive inkdecreases from a region closer to the layer of conductive ink to thelayer of elastic adhesive; and a conductive thread coupled to thecompression fabric and electrically connected at one end region to theconductive ink, wherein the conductive thread extends along garment in asinusoidal or zig-zag pattern. The conductive thread may be stitchedonto the compression fabric, and/or glued onto the compression fabric.

As mentioned above, methods of forming any of the apparatuses (e.g.,devices and systems, such as garments) described herein may includeforming the stretchable conductive ink pattern either directly onto afabric, or indirectly by forming a transfer and then transferring it.For example, a method of making a wearable electronics garment mayinclude: placing a transfer substrate comprising a stretchableconductive ink pattern against a compression fabric, wherein theconductive ink pattern comprises: a layer of conductive ink having:between about 40-60% conductive particles; a layer of an elasticadhesive; and a gradient region between the conductive ink and theadhesive, the gradient region comprising a nonhomogeneous mixture of theconductive ink and the adhesive wherein the concentration of conductiveink decreases from a region closer to the layer of conductive ink to thelayer of elastic adhesive; and transferring the conductive ink patternfrom the transfer substrate to the compression fabric.

As mentioned, the layer of conductive ink comprises between about 40-60%conductive particles, between about 30-50% binder; between about 3-7%solvent; and between about 3-7% thickener.

The method may also include peeling the transfer substrate off of theconductive ink pattern. The transfer substrate may comprises a paper orplastic (e.g., polyurethane) substrate. In variations using a conductivethread, the method may also include attaching a conductive thread to thecompression fabric, wherein one end of the conductive thread iselectrically connected to the conductive ink pattern. The transfersubstrate may therefore include a conductive thread in electricalcommunication with the conductive ink pattern.

Transferring may be heat transferring, e.g., transferring may includeapplying heat to transfer the conductive ink pattern and/while placingit against the garment (e.g., ironing it on). Transferring may compriseapplying heat from about 130° C. to about 300° C. to transfer theconductive ink pattern to the compression fabric. Transferring mayinclude transferring the conductive ink pattern from the transfersubstrate to the compression fabric.

Any of these methods may include printing the conductive ink pattern onthe transfer substrate before placing on the compression fabric. Thecompression fabric may be in a relaxed (not stretched, e.g., flat/smoothbut not stretched) before and/or during the transfer.

The conductive ink pattern may be printed on the transfer substrate by:printing the conductive ink onto the substrate in a first pattern;printing the adhesive onto the substrate over the first pattern; andforming the gradient region between the conductive ink and the adhesive.

A method of making a wearable electronics garment may include: printinga pattern of conductive ink and an elastic adhesive onto a substratesuch that the conductive ink is substantially co-extensive with theadhesive, wherein the conductive ink comprises between about 40% andabout 60% of conductive particles; and forming a gradient region betweenthe conductive ink and the adhesive, the gradient region comprising anonhomogeneous mixture of the conductive ink and the adhesive whereinthe concentration of conductive ink in the gradient region decreasesfrom a region closer to the layer of conductive ink to the layer ofelastic adhesive. The substrate may comprise a transfer substrate (e.g.,paper, plastic, etc.). The surface of the substrate may be ‘non-stick’(e.g., waxed, sealed, etc.) or otherwise prepared to enhance thetransfer (and removal) of the substrate. The substrate may comprise acompression fabric. As mentioned above, the conductive ink may comprisebetween about 40-60% conductive particles, between about 30-50% binder;between about 3-7% solvent; and between about 3-7% thickener.

In any of these variations, the pattern of adhesive and/or conductiveink may be screen printed. For example, printing may include placing ascreen having openings configured as a first pattern onto the substrateand spreading the adhesive over the screen.

In general, the viscosity of the conductive ink and/or the adhesive maybe selected so that it may be printed onto a substrate and/or thefabric. For example, the viscosity of the ink (uncured) may be betweenabout 60 Poise and about 200 Poise, and the viscosity of the uncuredadhesive may be similar. Viscosity decrease with temperature; in generalthe viscosity may be within the indicated range between a temperature ofabout 15° C. and about 38° C. (working range).

In some variations, printing comprises spraying the adhesive and/orconductive ink onto the compression fabric.

In general, the gradient (intermediate) region between the adhesive andthe conductive ink may be formed during the printing process, eitheractively or passively. For example, forming the gradient region mayinclude printing the conductive ink onto the adhesive while the adhesiveis sufficiently fluid to allow diffusion of the conductive ink into anupper region of the adhesive. Diffusion of the ink and/or glue may beenhanced/inhibited by regulating the temperature (e.g., heating orcooling). In some variation a mixture of adhesive and conductive ink maybe applied (e.g., mixture of 50/50 adhesive/ink, mixture of 60/40,mixture of 70/30, mixture of 40/60, mixture of 30/70, etc.).

A method of making a wearable electronics garment may include: printingan adhesive onto a compression fabric in a first pattern, wherein theadhesive is elastic when dry; printing a conductive ink onto the firstpattern; and forming a gradient region between the conductive ink andthe adhesive, the gradient region comprising a nonhomogeneous mixture ofthe conductive ink and the adhesive wherein the concentration ofconductive ink in the gradient region decreases from a region closer tothe layer of conductive ink to the layer of elastic adhesive.

In general, printing the conductive ink may include printing between 3and 20 layers of conductive ink. The conductive ink may be printed sothat the conductive ink does not directly contact the compressionfabric. The method may also include printing an insulating resin overpart of the conductive ink.

In any of the devices and methods described, the adhesive (“glue”) maybe a thermo-adhesive water-based glue that is electrically insulativeand mechanically stretchable. For example, commercially available fabricadhesives that are water-based and electrically insulative may be used.

As mentioned above, printing the adhesive may comprises placing a screenhaving openings configured as the first pattern onto the compressionfabric and spreading the adhesive over the screen. Similarly, printingthe conductive ink may comprise placing a screen having openingsmatching at least a portion of the first pattern onto the compressionfabric and spreading the conductive ink. As mentioned, printing theconductive ink may comprise printing a conductive ink having: betweenabout 40-60% conductive particles, between about 30-50% binder; betweenabout 3-7% solvent; and between about 3-7% thickener.

In general, printing the adhesive onto a compression fabric may comprisespraying the adhesive onto the compression fabric; printing theconductive ink may include spraying the conductive ink onto the firstpattern. As also described above, forming the gradient region mayinclude printing the conductive ink onto the adhesive while the adhesiveis sufficiently fluid to allow diffusion of the conductive ink into anupper region of the adhesive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1B show one variation of a wearable communications platformincluding front and back views of a shirt forming the sartorialcommunications apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing how a wearable communications platform canbe used for various purposes such as communication.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a wearable communications platform withvarious interconnected apparel items.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a wearable communications platformconfigured as a shirt in a wearable communications platform with variouselements for sensing and communicating.

FIGS. 5A-5B show an embodiment of a wearable communications platformhaving multiple, interconnected garments with various elements forsensing and communicating.

FIGS. 6A-6E show embodiments of wearable communications platforms usefulfor sensing and various types of communication, including physicalcommunication and feedback.

FIG. 7 shows a collar for use with a wearable communications platformuseful for providing communication.

FIGS. 8A-8C show an embodiment of a wearable communications platform forsending heart rate and for communicating. FIGS. 8A-8B show front andback views of a shirt configured as a sartorial communications apparatusincluding a body sensor configured as a heart rate sensor. FIG. 8C showsan embodiment of a body sensor configured as a heart rate sensor.

FIGS. 9A-9B show an embodiment of a wearable communications platform fordetecting a user's respiration and for communicating.

FIGS. 10A-10B show embodiments of conductive media based systems usefulfor conducting power and data in a wearable communications platform.

FIG. 10C is another variation of a conductive ink pattern, including anadhesive, gradient region, and conductive ink, as described herein.

FIGS. 11A-11B show embodiments of interactive sensors useful for sensingin conjunction with a wearable communications platform.

FIGS. 12A-12B show embodiments of interactive sensors, such as for auser to interact with a wearable communications platform.

FIGS. 13A-13B show external (outside) and internal (inside) views of anembodiment of a sartorial communications apparatus configured as a shirtwith a plurality of sensors and conductive traces.

FIGS. 14A-14B shows embodiments of sartorial communications apparatusesconfigured to include shirts with shirt collars configured forcommunicating between the front and back of the shirt.

FIGS. 15A-15D show different views of a wearable communication device.

FIG. 16A shows an example of a wearable communications platformgenerated according to an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 16B shows data obtained from a body sensor (configured as arespiratory sensor) such as the one shown in FIG. 16A.

FIG. 17 is a graph characterizing the force vs. extension for onevariation of stretchable conductive ink.

FIG. 18 is a graph characterizing the resistance for one variation ofstretchable conductive ink.

FIG. 19A shows a front view of a shirt configured as a respirationmonitoring garment.

FIG. 19B is a partial view of the front and lateral regions of the shirtof FIG. 19A.

FIG. 19C shows a back view of the same garment of FIGS. 19A and 19B.

FIG. 20A is a front view of a garment (showing both a shirt and pants)for measuring an ECG.

FIG. 20B is a back view of the garment (shirt and pants) of FIG. 20A.

FIG. 21A is a front view of another variation of a garment for measuringECG in which the limb leads are positioned on the shirt, e.g., notrequiring leg leads. For example, when exercise stress tests areperformed, limb leads are often placed on the trunk to avoid artifactswhile ambulatory (arm leads moved subclavicularly, and leg leads medialto and above the iliac crest).

FIG. 21B is a back view of the garment of FIG. 21A.

FIGS. 21C-21D show front and back views, respectively, of a garmentconfigured to detect ECGs.

FIGS. 22A-22C show front, side and back views, respectively of a garmentconfigured to be worn during sleep to monitor a subject's sleep.

FIGS. 23A-23B show a front and back view of a collar that may beincluded.

FIG. 24 shows a schematic view of operation of a garment (or multiplegarments) adapted for determining emotional valence.

FIGS. 25A-25E are schematics providing further detail from the schematicshown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a graphical illustration of a determination of well-beingthat may be made from a user wearing a garment as described herein.

FIG. 27 is a graphical illustration of a fitness ranking/analysis thatmay be made from a user wearing a garment as described herein.

FIG. 28A is a scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a section throughone example of a stretchable conductive ink pattern, illustrating theconductive ink layer and an elastic adhesive layer with an intermediategradient region between the two.

FIG. 28B is another SEM of a section through an example of a stretchableconductive ink pattern, showing the thicknesses of each region/layer.

FIG. 29A-29D are micrographs illustrating the distribution of chemicalcomponents (e.g., carbon in FIG. 29A, sulfur in FIG. 29B, silicon inFIG. 29C and oxygen in FIG. 29D) of a stretchable conductive inkcomposite (pattern). Large arrows on each micrograph indicate the visualdisplay of chemical composition.

FIG. 30 illustrates on method of printing a stretchable conductive inkpattern onto a substrate.

FIGS. 31A-31C illustrate examples of conductive thread sewn into asubstrate (e.g., fabric); FIG. 31A shows different patterns of stitches,having different pitches and widths (angles); FIG. 31B shows an exampleof five parallel conductive threads that may connect to five differentsensors. FIG. 31C shows an example of a single conductive thread.

FIG. 32A is a schematic illustration of a SMS module that may beintegrated into any of the garments described herein.

FIG. 32B is an example of a housing for an SMS module such as the oneshown in FIG. 32A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are wearable electronic devices formed on a fabric(including compression garment fabrics) using a stretchable andconductive ink pattern. The stretchable ink patterns may be referred toherein as conductive ink composites, conductive ink structures andand/or conductive ink traces, electrodes or sensors. As used herein, aconductive ink pattern typically include a layer of an elastic adhesive,a layer of conductive ink (e.g., typically having between about 40-60%conductive particles, between about 30-50% binder; between about 3-7%solvent; and between about 3-7% thickener) and a gradient region betweenthe adhesive and conductive ink layers. The combination of these threelayers provides a stretchability (while remaining conductive andunbroken) that is typically greater than the conductive ink alone.

The apparatuses described herein, include devices and systems, such asthe garments containing wearable electronics. In general, these garmentsmay be compression garments, however, they may also be formed asgarments that are not compression garments. These garments may bereferred to as wearable communications platforms and/or sartorialcommunications apparatuses. Such devices may provide accurate andmulti-faceted communication that improves an individual's sense ofthemselves and their interactions with the world around them. Such awearable communication platform may be configured to detect and respondto signals from the user (e.g. from a wearable electronics based garmentplatform) and may communicate with the user and others and may performother useful functions. Such a platform may measure and magnify ourperformance, monitor our health, expand our communication capabilities,enhance our social connectivity, entertain us and more. Wearing suchelectronics, sensors and communication devices/tools allowscommunication in a distinctive new way. For example, such acommunication platform may be able to accurately detect, process,compare, transfer and communicate in real time physiological signals ofthe wearer (such as a person, an animal, a plant, etc.). Such acommunication platform may provide more freedom to an individual and maybe considered to represent a new wave of intelligent, personalcommunication, after the first two “waves” which may include computers(first wave) and mobile telecommunications devices (second wave).

A wearable communications platform, as described herein, may provide thefollowing advantages. It may be usable during any normal daily life,including spontaneous activities. It may redefine the meaning ofaccurate evaluations of the current physiological status of anindividual (or nature or other things). It is generally known that aprocess of measuring—in which an individual knows he is beingmeasured—may affect the parameter being measured and therefore cause ameasurement to be less accurate. The process of measuring may generallycause constraints that limit an individual's freedom of movement due tolimitations in the measuring devices themselves (e.g., cumbersomemachines, hanging wires, spending time gluing or attaching sensors) orthe conditions in which the measurements are taken (e.g., a laboratory,or a hospital or a medical facilities habituated by sick people that maygenerate stress, fear or apprehension in the individual being measured).A wearable communication platform may be accurate not only in terms ofthe correspondence of the measurement to the real value, but also interms of correspondence of the detected physiological condition of theindividual who is no longer affected by the taking of measurement. Usinga wearable communication platform, accuracy of measurement may bedirectly related to the increased degree of freedom available whiletaking the measurements. Wearing such electronics, sensors andcommunication devices/tools allows communication in a distinctive newway. An advantage of the wearable communication platform describedherein may be that it improves the way people communicate and live by a)providing accurate information from which they can optimize the way theylive; b) providing instantaneous feed-back so that a user can improvewhile ‘in action’; c) by communicating directly to the body and bybypassing mistaken interpretations of the mind (e.g. computers andmobile devices communicate to the mind). A wearable communicationplatform as described herein may enhance the learning process and theexactitude of what is learned. A wearable communication platform may notcommunicate just to the ears (through voice, sounds, music) and the eyes(images, photos, videos) of the receivers but may also communicatedirectly to their bodies (to their muscles, to their points of stress,to their sensitive points, etc.), for example, to improve movements indaily activities or sports, to correct postures and alignments,breathing, etc. and may optimize physical and mental efficiency (e.g.through haptic activators and sensors). An individual may betterunderstands his emotions and feelings by attentively observing theirmanifestations in their bodies rather than by listening to an emotionalmind that is unduly influence by doubt, fear, aversion, clinging, socialpressure, media brain washing, etc. By listening to the body, anindividual listens to the truth. A wearable communication platform asdescribed herein may provide a real time (e.g. instantaneous) body partspecific feedback so that a user can optimize their efficiency while inaction and keep improving. A wearable communication platform may allowan individual to communicate and share messages, feelings, moods,actions, etc. through interactive sensors (‘touch points’). A ‘touchpoints’ may be a more immediate, more natural and faster communicationand sharing means then are computer typing or mobile dialing or texting.An enhanced accuracy, a capacity to communicate directly to anindividual's body rather than just through the mind, the fact that auser may have instantaneous feedback may provide a wearablecommunication platform as described herein with a fundamental qualitythat further distinguishes it from the previous two platforms ofcommunications: computers and mobiles communicate interpretations of thereality related by journalists, bloggers, users communicating what theypersonally believe is reality. A wearable communication platform asdescribed herein communicates objective, free, scientificallyquantifiable physiological data about people, nature and things. Anenhanced accuracy of the wearable communication platform describedherein may provide a substantial advantage to patients, athletes andothers to maintain an active lifestyle, and improve their health, theirperformances and their efficiency. It may allow people at large tochange the way they express themselves by enhancing and liberating theircreativity: the platform may include algorithms that may help a usertransform their movements into music, their physiological signals intomelodies, messages, perfumes, colors, and may allow them to dance orexecute exercises in coordination, generated instant events, etc. Awearable communication platform may automatically provide an accurate“dairy” of a user's life without them having to write or take notes. Awearable communications platform as described herein may connectfriends, athletes or people with similar interests, activities ordiseases and enhance their social bonds with more intimate communicationand may help them organize events, have virtual competitions or sharetheir most private information.

The wearable communications platforms described herein may also bereferred to as intelligent platforms (intelligent garment platforms,intelligent wear, intelligent apparel, intelligent apparel platforms,intelligent module, smart wear, etc.) or, interchangeably, as “sartorialcommunications apparatuses”.

A wearable communications platform may integrate apparel, a powercontrol system(s), electronics, software, etc. to allow, for example,for on-demand access to new media down-loadable content, up-loadablecontent and/or instructions, sharing technology, and facilitatinglocation based interaction and specific associated content for eachlocation. An intelligent garment platform may be created with printedand physical sensors, conductive and elastic materials and media (inks),electronics, software, and advanced fabrics create and may measure,evaluate and improve a user's life. An intelligent garment platform mayallow for the ongoing development of functional applications that can beadded to the platform, such as on a digital download basis and/or amodular electronic basis. There is a long-felt need to create anintegrated solution for an intelligent, lightweight, comfortable, andintelligent apparel platform and accessories.

One aspect of the invention comprises a wearable flexible garmentplatform for communicating a wearer's condition comprising: a wearableflexible garment comprising: a body sensor on the garment configured tosense one of a wearer's position, a wearer's movement, and a wearer'sphysiological status and thereby generate a body sensor signal; aconductive trace on the garment, connected with the sensor andconfigured to communicate the body sensor signal from the sensor to asensor module for analysis; an interactive sensor on the garmentconfigured to transmit an interactive sensor signal to the sensor modulewhen the wearer's hand activates the interactive sensor wherein thesensor module is configured to control an audio output and/or a visualoutput in response to the interactive sensor signal; a pocket on thegarment configured to contain the sensor module; and a sensor module forreceiving the body sensor signal from the body sensor, processing thesignal to generate an output signal, and outputting the output signal tothereby provide a feedback output. In some embodiments a pocket on thegarment may be configured to removably contain the sensor module.

FIGS. 1A-B shows an overview of one variation of an intelligent wearplatform. FIGS. 1A-1B show embodiments of a flexible garment in the formof front elevation views of a shirt to be worn on the wearer's torso.FIG. 1A shows a front view of an intelligent wear shirt system. FIGS.1A-B show an intelligent wear module, which may be a core of anintelligent system that powers and controls all (or many) otherelements, both printed and physical, in the apparel. Additionally, asmart module may facilitate some, most or all communications with auser's smart phone, computer, or other networking device (e.g. internetaccess device) or allow for the embedded capabilities of these functionswithin the garment. A module 1 can work alone as a self-containedpowered unit, or may work in conjunction with additional modularelements. A smart module could work in conjunction with a battery suchas an additional flexible battery and/or modular battery. Such a batterymay be designed to be added to the intelligent wear in a hem, a seam(s),or (another) non-conspicuous location(s) on the apparel.

In general, the elements on the garments described herein may be formedor connected by one or more conductive ink pattern. In particular, aconductive ink pattern may be used as a sensor, described in greaterdetail below, and/or an electrode, and/or a connector (e.g., trace)electrically linking one or more devices.

As exhibited in reference numerals 12-15 and 17-23, an intelligent andflexible conductive belt can be, for example, be added to or embedded inan item of intelligent apparel. An intelligent and flexible belt cancontain elements that include, but are not limited to, elements tofurther enhance module 1, including an additional memory, battery power,a microprocessor, an accelerometer, and/or Wi-Fi capability, Bluetoothcapability, GPS, a transmitter, AM/FM capability, and a transceiver.

A rear surface image of the apparel, as shown in FIG. 1B, demonstratesreference numerals 24-30 that may offer a variety of user comfortfunctionality that can be utilized together or separately(individually), to supply the intelligent wear user electricalstimulation, vibration, heat, cold, shielding, absorption, etc. When atemperatures sensor senses a temperature drop below or above aparticular (e.g. preset or chosen) level, a system sensor can (e.g.automatically) trigger a printed heat panel(s) or a cold panel(s) toactivate, and they can be further controlled by the intelligent wearuser via a thermostat, a direct temperature control, or via a variety ofprogram options.

A front surface image of an intelligent-apparel garment demonstrates acamera 31 in the apparel, such as a still image camera and/or a videocamera and/or another camera. The camera can be controlled by the useror can be controlled via remote control from another source that theintelligent wear user allows to control the camera, such as via a modulecommunication system, via the internet, via a Wi-Fi connection, or via aBluetooth connection(s).

FIGS. 1A-1B also demonstrate examples of different types of lightingeffects that may be available on an intelligent apparel, such as astrobe light 32 that can also or instead remain on as a solid light, anindicator light 33, and/or a lighting strip(s) 34. Any lighting effectmay be placed on or incorporated into a garment. Each of the lights maybe controllable such as via a set-and-forget program(s), may betriggered on and off, may be set to respond to different sensor inputssuch as time, daylight, absorb ambient light, and may be configured toradiate, glow, etc. Any or all lights may be controllable via a smartmodule 1, and/or may be powered via the smart module 1 and/or may bepowered via a flexible battery 4.

A panel, as indicated in FIGS. 1A-1B, can create and/or store power,and/or may be powered by a (or more than one) solar panel 35.

An electroluminescent panel 36 (an EL panel) may be powered in any way,such as, for example, by a solar panel 35, from a flexible battery 4, orfrom a rechargeable battery (which may be located in the smart module1). Such a panel may respond to a pre-programmed sensor, a transmitter,etc. Each panel can work alone or can work in conjunction with anotherfeature(s).

FIGS. 1A-1B demonstrate a possible placement for an antenna array 37that can work, for example, in both of (or in either of) a transmissionmode and a receiving mode, and may extend the range of another sensor(s)and/or communication forms. In this case, the array may also act as adesign element within a pouch 9 (such as in a created back panel shownin FIG. 1B) or for the pouch 9 (such as on the weatherproof pouch shownin the front view of FIG. 1A). Networking technology 38 can work aloneor in conjunction with antenna array 37 for range extension.Additionally, the intelligent user can work in conjunction with anetworking device 45 (e.g., such as, a computer, a smart phone (theirown smart phone), a tablet) or another cell phone 39 to program, change,modify, or facilitate voice activation commands to control module 1.

A display 40 can provide the intelligent wear user a visual and audibledevice to see feedback, sent data, responses, etc. from any or all thesensors, electronics, inputs, etc. available to the intelligent wearuser, such as alone, or in conjunction with the intelligent wear user'scell phone 39 and/or networking device 45, such as computer, smart phoneor tablet.

An entire intelligent wear system can work alone or in conjunction withone or more of an enhancement accessory 46, such as, for example, awristband or watch. An intelligent accessory (or accessories) can add anadditional functionality to the intelligent system, and can be triggeredto respond to a programmed element(s).

Smart module 1, shown in perspective view, may be wired or wireless, andmay contain the main processing core of an intelligent system thatfacilitates some, most or all sensors, communication links (Bluetooth,cellphone, internet, Wi-Fi, etc.), control, and power distribution.Smart module 1 can be a self-contained unit, and or, be supported bymodular connection elements with enhanced functionality. A module may bewoven into, printed upon, attached to, or otherwise be in proximity withthe apparel. A module can be used as a “hot spot” allowing for multipleinternet or communication tethering access functionality.

FIG. 1A also shows a front view of an interactive sensor 2 (such as aconductive touch point) that can activate a routine in the smart module1 such as via touch, proximity, voice activation, or via a variety ofprogrammable or preprogrammed instructions. An interactive sensor (atouch point) can be located anywhere on the apparel. An interactivesensor (touch point) can, for example, be in a designated area, and maybe printed or affixed on the apparel. An interactive sensor can bevirtual in that a location may be projected or fixed on the apparel suchas in the form of a projection or augmented reality format (for examplevia a camera or projector), and an interactive sensor may be, forexample, triggered by proximity, touch, or voice. Such an interactivesensor may act as a user interface on a shirt (or other intelligent wearaccessory, garment or item). Such an interactive sensor may becustomizable for different uses (such as based on user preference).Different modes of activation of a single sensor (e.g. a single tap, adouble tap; etc.) may lead to different actions. In some embodiments, aninteractive sensor may be configured to transmit a first interactivesensor signal when the user's hand activates the interactive sensor onceand to transmit a second interactive sensor signal when the user's handactivates the interactive sensor twice in succession wherein the firstinteractive sensor signal is different from the second interactivesensor signal. A plurality of interactive sensors may be present. Suchsensors may all be activated by the same type of trigger (e.g. a singletap) but each may control a different action or activity (for example,one sensor may control a phone, another sensor may control messaging)such as through different interactive sensor signals. In someembodiments, the first interactive sensor is configured to send a firstinteractive sensor signal and the second interactive sensor isconfigured to send a second interactive sensor signal which signal isdifferent from the first interactive sensor signal. Two (or more thantwo) sensors may be activated by the same type of trigger (e.g. a singletap) and may control the same action (for example, a sensor on a hem ofa shirt and a sensor on a collar may both be configured to control musicvolume). Different modes of activation of a single sensor may result indifferent interactive sensor signals and different types of action(e.g., a single tap controls music volume and a double tap controlsmessaging). Using an interactive sensor(s), a user may control anyelement that is connected with it, including controlling any otherelements on a connected intelligent garment item and/or any itemsconnected wirelessly with it. For example, an interactive sensor maycontrol a call (activate a call, answer a call, end a call, etc.),control music (bass, musical selection, volume, etc.), control amicrophone, deliver a message, share content, perform a social check-insuch as via a location based service, etc. For social sharing, a usermay choose a delivery method (for example, a proprietary intelligentwear web platform, a call, an email, a Facebook connection, a shortmessage service (SMS), Twitter, etc.). An interactive sensor(s) mayallow a contact to be chosen from any library such as via an intelligentwear application, and control (open) a communication with a simpleinteraction with an interactive sensor (such as with a single tap, adouble tap, a triple tap, a press and hold, a voice command, etc.). Forexample, by tapping on a touch point a climber can share his locationand altitude with his intelligent wear application friends or Facebookfriends. In another example, through a press and hold on a designatedtouch point on a shirt, a user can activate an emergency call (e.g. to911) and immediately get help if in danger.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a variety of different sensor applications 3A on,in, and around the intelligent apparel that may include, but are notlimited to one or more sensors configured to measure respiration, heartrate, pulse, pressure, moisture, humidity, elongation, stress, glucoseand/or pH, wear, resistance, DNA, nerves or nerve activity, muscleactivity, bone stimulation, optics, chemical, motion, thermometer, sleepstate, impact, proximity, flexibility, rotation, and/or any other(diagnostic) element. A piece of apparel may have none, one, or manysensors working separately or in unison. A sensor(s) in conjunction witha software application can be programmed to be both passive in datacollection mode, and active; for example, in that a sensor data responsemay trigger a specific response such as data transmission, lightactivation cameras, stimulators, vibrators, defibrillators, transdermalactivations, etc.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a variety sensors 3B, such as biological sensors,that can be either passive and/or active, such as that they may collect,analyze, transmit and/or respond to a specific biological detection,and/or can trigger one or more of any apparel capability responses.

A flexible battery 4 (or batteries) and (an associated) conductive linkmay make for a primary power source or incremental power in support of amodular power system may be flexible, light weight, expandable, quickconnecting, comfortable, shapeable, and/or otherwise consumer friendly.Power may be wired or wireless and may be fixed or may be rechargeable.

A printed conductive material 5 may, for example, include an ink(media), a dye for a thread and/or embroidery, a printed material thatmay be used to distribute power and communication requirements to allaspects of, and between, sensors, arrays, components, lights,electronics, panels, printed and wired elements in the intelligent wear,both internally and in conjunction with an added accessory.

A woven conductive material 6 may be used alone or in conjunction with aprinted conductive material to be able to design the power points anddistribution requirements in and around the apparel to create, forexample, the most efficient look and/or consumer friendly design, whilekeeping a garment light, washable, and wearable without the need forheavy wired elements. A woven conductive may allow for placement oraffixing of multiple elements onto the apparel.

A conductive strip material 7 and a conductive connector point 8 mayallow for the attachment of modules, sensors, and electronic elementsanywhere along a line of a conductive trace on the intelligent garment.

A weatherproof and/or waterproof pouch or pocket 9 may allow for theaddition of a sensitive electronic or sensor elements and/or storage. Apockets or pouch may be situated in, on, and/or around any portion ofthe internal surface or external surface of an intelligent wear product.

In some embodiments of a wearable garment system, wherein the flexiblegarment comprises a plurality of body sensors for generating a pluralityof body sensor signals, and the body sensors are connected with aplurality of conductive traces wherein the sensor module is configuredto receive the plurality of signals from the plurality of conductivetraces and process the signals to generate a feedback output wherein thefeedback output comprises one of an audio output, a visual output, and atactile output. In some embodiments of a wearable garment system, thewearable garment system further comprises one of a speaker and anearphone connected with the sensor module wherein the audio outputcomprises a music output configured to be sent to the earphone orspeaker.

A speaker 10 may be embedded in, printed on, or attached to the apparelin any area, including but are not limited to a collar section of theintelligent wear, inside a back collar, or inside a collar. A speakermay provide for different sound effects. A speaker may include a baseunit or a stimulator or a vibrator. A speaker may have, but is notlimited to, the form of a printed, a physical, or a wireless speakerattached to the garment, etc.

An auditory receiver 11 (such as an earphone or an earbud) may beattached to the intelligent wear garment. Such forms include, but arenot limited to, fixed, retractable, printed, or physical wire elements,with or without a housing.

A fixed or removable section of a modular element may work alone ortogether with a modular connection point such as added memory 12 orother content storage capacity.

A fixed or removable section of a modular element may work alone ortogether with a modular connection point such as an audio and/or videoplayback device 13 (e.g., an MP3 player or a video player). A piece ofapparel may have such a device designed into it or affixed to it, orsuch a device may be in proximity to the apparel. Such a modular elementmay work alone, or may work in conjunction with another modular element,and may be of a plug-and-play design, with ease of use for connectionand detachment, and may reside in the apparel, hems, etc.

In some embodiments of a wearable garment system, an output signal isconfigured to be sent away from the wearable garment, such as to anotherindividual, to a computer, or to a website.

A fixed or removable section of a modular element may work alone ortogether with a modular connection point such as a microprocessor 14.

A fixed or removable section of a modular element may work alone ortogether with a modular connection point, such as an accelerometer 15.

An intelligent wear garment or system may be controllable using a voicecontrol 16, including but not limited to commands either alone, or inconjunction with other buttons, switches, cell phones, computers, andinternet systems.

A fixed or a removable section of a modular element may work alone ortogether with a modular connection point to facilitate the use of aWi-Fi 17 or enable a Wi-Fi connection with another internal or anexternal element.

A fixed or removable section of modular element may work alone ortogether with a modular connection point to facilitate the use ofBluetooth 18 or enable a Bluetooth connection with another internal orexternal element.

A fixed or a removable section of a modular element may work alone ortogether with a modular connection points to facilitate the use of GPS19 or enable a GPS connections with another internal or externalelement.

Either a fixed or a removable section of a modular element 20 may workalone or together with a modular connection points to facilitate the useof AM/FM/radio waves/frequencies 20 or enable a radio connection withanother internal or external element.

Either a fixed or a removable section of a modular element may workalone or together with modular connection points to facilitate the useof near field technologies 21 or enable near field with another internalor external element.

Either a fixed or a removable section of a modular elements may workalone or together with a modular connection points to facilitate the useof a transceiver 22, a transmitter and/or receiver or to enabletransmission or receiver connections with another internal or externalelement for an item, such as, for example a cell phone signals, a radiofrequencies, a power waves, a diagnostic, etc.

Either a fixed or a removable section of a modular element may workalone or together with a modular connection point to facilitate the useof radiofrequency 23 or enable radiofrequency use with another internalor external element.

A dispenser unit 24 may be configured to dispense a gas and/or a liquid,such as in response to a programmed element or sensor stimulus, manualand automatic response scenarios.

In some embodiments of a wearable garment system, the wearable flexiblegarment further comprises a haptic actuator configured to provide atactile sensation to the wearer based on the output signal.

In some embodiments, a garment may include a stimulator/vibrator 25capability that may be activated, such as by a transcutaneous electricalnerve stimulator (TENS) electrical stimulator, that responds to apreprogrammed element or a bone stimulator for direct placement on aspecific location on the body. An activation signal can, for example, betriggered from a sensor to send a pulse, vibration, or electricalstimulus in response to data to wake somebody up, prevent sleep such asin the case of a transportation environment such as aerospace orautomotive environments to prevent accidents.

In some embodiments, a garment may include a transdermal deliveryfunction 26. Such a delivery system may be triggered by a variety ofinputs that include, but are not limited to voice activation, to sensordata, timing devices, communication, location, etc.

In some embodiments, a garment may include on-demand heating andtreatment capability 27 that may be able to a respond to a preprogrammedelement, voice activation, sensors, thermostat, and may be directlyplaced on a specific location on the body or all around the intelligentwear.

In some embodiments, a garment may include demand cooling and treatment28 capability that may be a used in response to preprogrammed elements,voice activation, sensors, thermostat, and may be directly placedspecific location on the body or all around the intelligent wear.

In some embodiments, a garment may include shielding capability 29 thatmay be configured to respond to a preprogrammed element, voiceactivation, sensors, thermostat, and may be directly placed on aspecific location on the body or all around the intelligent wear.

In some embodiments, a garment may include an absorption capability 30that may be configured to respond to a preprogrammed elements, voiceactivation, sensors, thermostat, and may be directly placed on aspecific location on the body or all around the intelligent wear.

In some embodiments, a garment may include a camera/video recorder 31and projector capability that may be configured to respond to apreprogrammed element, voice activation, sensors, thermostat, remoteinput, and for direct placement on a specific location on the body orall around the intelligent wear. There may be multiple cameras orprojectors that may allow for the capture of multidimensional imagessuch as 3-D, or the projection of images such as holographic, orinfrared (IR), or radiofrequency (RF) or other images in variety of bothvisible with the naked eye, or in conjunction with glasses or otheraccessories that render the images visible.

In some embodiments, a garment may include strobe light capability 32that may be a response to a preprogrammed element, voice activation,sensors, light meters, component identification, recognition software,GPS, and for direct placement on a specific location on the body or allaround the intelligent wear.

In some embodiments, a garment may include light indicator capability 33that may be a responds to include but not limited to input, output,stimulus, preprogrammed elements, voice activation, sensors, thermostat,and for direct placement on a specific location on the body or allaround the intelligent wear.

In some embodiments, a garment may include light strip capability 34that can made up of, but not limited to, phosphorescence inks,luminescence, power, bulb, etc. such as in specified areas that mayconfigured to respond including but not limited to input, output,stimulus, preprogrammed elements, voice activation, sensors, time, andfor direct placement on a specific location on the body or all aroundthe intelligent wear.

In some embodiments, a garment may include a solar panelrecharging/powering capability 35 for primary or supplemental powersupply that be may configured to respond to include but not limited toinput, output, stimulus, preprogrammed elements, voice activation,sensors, power levels, and for direct placement on a specific locationon the body or all around the intelligent wear.

In some embodiments, a garment may include electroluminescence panels 36that may be configured to respond to include but not limited to input,output, stimulus, preprogrammed elements, voice activation, sensors,thermostat, and for direct placement on a specific location on the bodyor all around the intelligent wear.

In some embodiments, a garment may include printed or wired antennaarray 37 that may be configured to respond to including but not limitedto input, output, stimulus, preprogrammed elements, voice activation,sensors, and for direct placement on a specific location on the body orall around the intelligent wear.

In some embodiments, a garment may include Wi-Fi capability and orindicator capability 38 that may be configured to respond to include butnot limited to input, output, stimulus, preprogrammed elements, voiceactivation, sensors, and for direct placement on a specific location onthe body or all around the intelligent wear.

In some embodiments, a garment may include cell phone type ofcommunication device 39, allowing for the incorporation of a removableexisting phone onto the garment and incorporation with the intelligentwear, or the inclusion of cell communication functionality hardwiredinto the garment.

In some embodiments, a garment may include a text, still image, andvideo display capability 40 that can work alone or in conjunction withall the sensors, electronics, or elements inherent in the intelligentwear. A display may work with all the communication, data, sensors, andprograms or with a subset of the communication, data, sensors, andprogram. For example, an audio message can be converted to text anddisplayed, images from the cameras or projectors can be viewed,functional buttons can be incorporated, etc. users can upload ortransfer images from internal intelligent ware shirt to the screen, oraccept transfers from 3'd parties, or from software programs, addoverlays or special effects, and project the image on the display.

In some embodiments, a garment may include capacitive switch capability41, and other switching technologies that can trigger any or allactivation points on, in, or around the intelligent wear.

In some embodiments, a garment may include a control switch 42 that canbe incorporated into, on, around the intelligent wear, or be activatedby individual elements added into the apparel.

In some embodiments, a garment may include a QR (quick response) code43, QR code reader, and other mechanisms to convey data either on orwithin the apparel, or trigger additional interaction with theintelligent wear system, or drive data communication with a URL or auser's mobile communication device.

In some embodiments, a garment may include user known or hereafterdevised smart phone 45, tablet, or such other device that may benecessary or useful to interface the intelligent wear with a user'sdata, information, or communication network.

In some embodiments, a garment may include a wristband/watch 46 or otheraccessories that may be developed to bring additional functionalcapabilities to the intelligent wear system to allow, for example a userto control an aspect of the intelligent wear system (e.g. any of thosedescribed herein as being part of the intelligent wear system) using acontrol function on the watch or wristband or to provide an audiodisplay, a visual display, or a tactile sensation.

An intelligent apparel item may have any or all of the weatherprotection functionally of traditional clothing (such as being sunprotective, water resistant, water proof, wind resistant, wind proofetc.). Intelligent apparel may also or instead have an optionaltransdermal delivery system. Additionally, the apparel may be infusedwith such items as vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and any and allforms of medications, topical solutions, and may perform as transdermaldelivery systems. In conjunction with the electronics and sensors, forexample, the transdermal delivery system might not only delivermedications and like items, but the intelligent apparel may monitor theintelligent wear user before, during, and after delivery to insureproper dosage, and to monitor one or more vital signs and/or specificmedical or safety criteria

Intelligent apparel may also include a power and data collection anddistribution system for the apparel. The system may supply the requiredpower to operate one to a multitude of electronics and sensors and theirassociated accessories and/or to power the data communications. Theapparel may house the electronics, sensors, and accessories in a userfriendly, comfortable, and stylish design. Such power and data may becontrolled by intuitive programming.

An intelligent apparel may house or host the smart module or the“brains” of the system. The module may be expandable and adaptable toinclude new electronics, sensors, and software upgrades, and managecompatibility with industry communications and data collection anddistribution standards and security.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an intelligent wear system in which anintelligent wear user is #1 or at center of the social hub. With anintelligent wear system, a user may be able to identify and friend(s)user #2 (who is also wearing intelligent garment) the friend's locationor proximity to the #1 user demonstrating a proximity and location basedtechnology.

Social media integration: Further, a user (e.g. user #1 or user #2) canalso sign into their personal social media site such as Facebook orTwitter, and could share their location with friends, and also allow afollow-me scenario. An intelligent wear user may allow an audio commentresponse that may automatically be played back via the intelligent wearwithin a specific location(s), or allow a “tweet(s)” or other responsesto appear on an intelligent wear display panel(s).

In some embodiments, a textual social media such as a “tweet(s)” mayalso be converted to audio and played back via the intelligent wear, oran audio message may be converted to text for playback on a display.

In some embodiments, an intelligent wear user may create a follow-memessage(s), and may respond to others who accept such opportunities, andmay play back specific responses in either an audio or visual fashion.

In some embodiments, an interactive sensor (touch point) on theintelligent wear can be designated as a “Like” or a “Dislike” functionalbutton, and may allow a third party to register opinions based upontactile interaction, or vote, or respond to a question(s) in a similaror the same fashion individually or in groups, with the results beingshared amongst the participants.

In some embodiments, an intelligent wear user can “check-in” by virtueof entering a location versus needing to actually initiate a check-inprocess. Doing so can initiate a couponing, advertising, or some otherresponse. A similar reaction may be initiated upon the intelligent userexiting a location.

Location based technology: In some embodiments an intelligent wear usercan identify if (that) another intelligent wear user is located within aspecific venue or retail location. The user/system may have the abilityto leave specific messages or downloadable content for an individual orgroup of intelligent wear users that have been identified, and suchcontent alerts may be given to the users upon breaching the perimeter ofthe specified location in the form of audio, visual, or graphicalinformation. An intelligent wear user may initiates the transfer processby sending a “ping” to the other intelligent wear users to initiate aninvitation to share content or data (such as sharing a piece of audiocontent), manage the invitation acceptance/rejection process, encodingand sending that data to the approved recipient.

Additionally, a similar (or the same) concept holds true with regards toallowing the venue or store to leave a discounts and coupons for all orindividuals that enter their locations, or as gifts with purchase uponexiting a specific location.

In some embodiments, when an intelligent wear user travels to, enters,or leaves an event that is not a fixed venue location, that user cansend location information, data, likes/dislikes on or about the event,and/or even download content that can be played back via the intelligentwear based upon the type of event (e.g. a birthday party, a dance, afestival, etc.) or can send standardized messages representing moods andattitudes to friends who may have or not have an intelligent wear systemgarment (product).

In some embodiments, another sharing scenario allows an intelligent wearuser to tag and leave specific content and messages for otherintelligent wear users based upon a location or proximity, and thenallow for and manage the acceptance/rejection, downloading, and playbackof the approved content.

Another sharing scenario is similar to the scenario described above, butincludes the ability to analyze the content and data, and return aresponse based upon the data result. For example, if an intelligent wearuser is running in a race or triathlon, and can receive data or messageupon reaching a specific location or way-point.

Intelligent wear location based services (SLBS) functions may include,but are not limited to: location (e.g. of a person, object, friend,business, or event); heading (direction or distance, or turn by turndirections); advertising (location based push or pull); request (nearestservice or business); receiving (alerts, sales, warnings, traffic);recovery (assets based); games (where location is part of a game);proximity-based notifications ((push and pull) notification whensomething available); proximity-based actuation ((such as EZ passpayments, tolls, etc.) or download content); create (point of interestinformation about location or upcoming event); leave (point of interestinformation after an event); display (point of interest information onthe intelligent wear users phone or intelligent apparel); upload photoswith content, events, to be left for others; upload comments that can bedisplayed with uploaded photos at specific locations/events; zip codesearch (distance or from center or origin to an event or sale, etc.);permission (user must give opt-in permission by law to share and receivelocation based service information); geofencing concept (virtualperimeter around a location, and identify when it is being crossed, andpush), etc.

Multi-party share and synchronization (venue examples): an intelligentwear user may offer content to one another, synch content with multipleparties with or without an invitation/acceptance concept, andsimultaneously play back content on multiple intelligent wear users atthe same time. Such a concept may be directed to sporting arenas such assoccer/football, and for music venues and concert halls. Content can be,amongst others, in the form of light programming, display content,graphical elements, and audio. A venues may be, for example: a stadium(connecting fans from the same team, coordinating fans activitiesthrough synchronization of speakers (chants, formation, player's name,booing referee), through vibration codes (1=waves, 2=chant, etc.) whichmay be specific to sport's cultural behavior, through intelligentsynchronization of LEDs on fans' T-shirts to display stadium messages(ex. “Goooaaalll!”) or images (flag), mapping the fans and using them as‘human pixels’ in ‘bleaches screens’.); concerts (coordinating fansthrough synchronization of speakers in a sole chorus, throughsynchronization of LEDs on shirts to celebrate a song/artist enhancingan existing behavior (turning on lighters); through intelligentsynchronization of LEDs on fans' T-shirts to display a song titles ormessages; connecting friends and detecting positioning, allowing easycommunication); mass celebrations (coordinating masses to spread aunique social message in a sole voice; intelligent synchronization ofspeakers and LEDs to coordinate/display messages, wave audio and/orlighting effects); couple celebrations (intelligent wear salute (e.g.Valentine's day), ‘override’, synchronization of love songs); street orcar encounters (intelligent wear users may be alerted when friends orintelligent wear system users are nearby, allowing easy exchange ofmessages or content); “Salute” (intelligent wear speaks or sings to agiven person (friend, loved one, team fans, annoying one, wearinganother intelligent wear product (“Hi George”, “I Love”, “We are thebest”, “loser”). Customers can share or choose official salutes andadapt them to occasions, moods.); “Override” (override a negativeexpression/conversation or foul/inappropriate language with a loving oneby detecting the bad expression through profanity filters and voicerecognition and programming the intelligent wear to respondappropriately.); etc.

Unknown intelligent wear users can share controllable “personal” datawith others whom they pass or come into proximity to, including makingor initiating a new “friend” connection.

Camera sharing functionality: With an additional enhanced feature suchas the camera, facial recognition can identify other friends, locations,etc. and signal their appearance, or initiate an audio or visualresponse. Additional intelligent wear effects include the creation of acamouflage concept by having an image from the camera behind youdisplayed in front of an individual, creating the illusion that theindividual is invisible. Alternatively, still images or moving imagesfrom the camera can be captured and played back on the intelligent weardisplay, shared with others, amended, and processed through a specialeffects generator creating everything from simple overlays to extensivegraphical editing tools, and shared. With the intelligent wear Wi-Ficapabilities, others can simply send images to the intelligent wearshirt for display.

Through a camera (e.g. on a T-shirt), a user may share his view and/orlocation and post it (also, users may visualize and modify it onInstagram). With a video camera (e.g. on a T-shirt), a user may recordhis view while walking or doing sport activities (e.g. skateboarding,climbing, running, etc.) and (instantly) post a videos, such as onYou-Tube channel through a hotspot on T-shirt: a ‘subscribe’ channelhotspot on T-shirt.

A camera auto may grab a QR code and/or other response technology andplay back an audio response based upon program requirements. A QR codemay be used to initiate shopping or product purchasing sequence.

Medical and safety concepts: With a basic GPS functionality, anintelligent wear user can, for example, such as in the case of anelderly parent, determine if such a person left a specified location,and can trigger a notification and response system in order to protectthat individual.

Crowd-sharing and shopping concepts: An intelligent wear user and/orintelligent wear may facilitate crowd-shopping and crowd-flash-salessuch as via an announcement of a specific location based sale ofeither/or physical intelligent user apparel systems, or the availabilityof specific downloadable content, or software upgrades or functionality.

Voice and audio command functionality: None, some or all social mediaand functions may be initiated by a vocal command or via an intelligentwear application.

Intelligent hot spot functionality: Further, an intelligent wear systemmay facilitate a social media sharing action in any of a number ofdifferent scenarios. One such scenario allows an intelligent wear user'sapparel to act as an internet hot spot, allowing for multiple people inproximity to him to share his internet/communications connections.

In some embodiments, a flexible wearable garment system furthercomprises a second flexible wearable item (e.g. an accessory or garment)in electrical communication with the first flexible wearable item (e.g.an accessory or garment). Such an electrical connection may beconfigured to allow power and data to be transmitted. Such garments maybe in electrical communication directly such as by a button, snap oranother electrical connector or may be indirect communication (such asthrough a wireless communication). A second garment may be in electricalconnection with a third (or fourth, fifth, etc.) flexible wearablegarment or accessory. FIG. 3 shows a flexible wearable garment system(an intelligent garment system) with various garments in electricalcommunication with one another. An intelligent wear shirt 60 iselectrically connected via an electrical connector 70 with intelligentwear pants 62. Such a connector may be a substantially rigid connectoror may be a substantially flexible connector. Such an electricalconnection may be, for example, though a button, a complementarymagnetic connection, a snap, a strip (such as a fabric strip), a wire,or any other connection or may be made through a wireless connection.The intelligent wear shirt 60 is also electrically connected viaelectrical connector 74 with an intelligent wear glove and viaelectrical connector 76 with an intelligent wear hat 68. Intelligentwear socks 64 are electrically connected via electrical connector 72with intelligent wear pants 62 which is in turn electrically connectedvia electrical connector 70 with intelligent wear shirt 60. Each garmentor accessory may contain any element as described herein or as known inthe art, such as a body sensor, an interactive sensor, a power trace,etc. An interactive sensor (or a body sensor or any other element) maybe any color, any texture, or any design.

An intelligent garment item may be a stand-alone intelligent apparelitem or it may be an item that works in conjunction with a second item.An intelligent garment may work with a user's other or existing wardrobeitem or accessories, for example as an additional layer or as acomponent attached to another or existing wardrobe item or accessory. Afirst intelligent garment may have an element that can work with,enhance, and/or support a second intelligent apparel item such as onethat houses an intelligent electronic module and activators, (other)electronics, microchips, and/or sensors such as included with anintelligent electronic module.

An intelligent garment item may be any type of clothing or may be anytype of accessory and may be used for or configured for a specificpurpose. An intelligent garment item may, for example, be a garment oran accessory that houses an intelligent electronic module or may be agarment or an accessory that works with an intelligent electronic modulehoused in another intelligent garment item. An intelligent garment maybe, for example, a top such as a bra, a camisole, a compression shirt, ahoodie, a long-sleeved shirt, an over-shirt, a polo shirt, a shirt, ashort-sleeved shirt, a T-shirt, a tank top, a turtleneck shirt, a V-neckshirt, an undershirt, etc.; a bottom such as capris, leggings, pants,shorts, etc.; a hand wear such as, a glove, a mitten, etc.; a headwearsuch as a balaclavas, a hat, a hood, etc.; a footwear such as, a boot, afoot glove, a shoe, a sock, etc.; or may be a coat, a full body outfit,a jacket, a leotard, a jumpsuit, pajamas, a robe, swimwear, underwear,and/or another specialized worker outfit, etc. An intelligent garmentmay include any type of accessory (such as an ankle-lace, a bracelet, aflexible screen, a hearing aid, a microphone, a necklace, a speaker, atie, a watch, etc.) An intelligent garment may be used for any purpose,for example, for athletic wear, fire and safety use, military use,personal protection, patient use, recreation use, etc.

An intelligent garment may have or may allow the incorporation of one ormore intelligent wear elements such as one or more body sensors, one ormore interactive sensors, a power and data distribution service, acommunication control and management system, etc. An intelligent garmentmay have any or all of the expected weather and environmental protectionfunctionally of traditional clothing. A specific, functional intelligentgarment may have a stand-alone design. It may contain printed, woven,wired, and/or wireless nodes, and/or other embedded or attached sensorsand/or other associated electronics. It may contain a variety of printedand/or programmable/controllable sensors and activators as definedherein or known in the art or hereafter invented. An intelligent garmentmay be configured to work in conjunction with another item in anintelligent system in multiple modes, such as a real-time mode, or maybe configured to work alone such as when not in a time sensitive mode.It may be managed via a data scheduling algorithm or programming.

An intelligent garment may include one or more than one electroniccomponent or circuit which may include a conductive material. Such aconductive material may be adapted or configured to make a connection(e.g. an electrical connection) between two elements (e.g. devices,garments, items). A connection may be, for example, a conductivematerial electrical trace (such as a conductive media (conductiveink/conductive ink pattern) or a trace made from a conductive media orconductive ink and described in greater detail below), a conductivesilicone, or another type of conductive material that can be depositedon fabric or incorporated into a fabric (e.g. by weaving or sewing orgluing onto/into the fabric). A conductive ink may be “cableless” andmay possess greater flexibility than a cable. A conductive material onan intelligent wear garment item may be required to both conduct anelectrical signal (including for example, providing sufficient power)and be configured to allow the garment to conform to a user's body. Aconductive trace that is non-extendible in a vertical direction may benarrow in a horizontal dimension (i.e. going around an individual). Sucha narrow trace that is placed with its long axis in a verticalorientation may allow a garment to substantially expand in a horizontaldirection (such as when an individual is stretching a garment andplacing it over his head). A plurality of traces (or all traces on agarment) may be oriented in a vertical direction in order to allow agarment to stretch in a horizontal direction. Such a trace may extendfrom a front of a garment to a back of a garment (such as by travelingover a shoulder area of a garment). In some embodiments, a conductivetrace may be extendible in a vertical direction, a horizontal direction,in both a vertical direction and a horizontal direction or in neitherdirection. A conductive material may be flexible in a verticaldirection, a horizontal direction, in both a vertical direction and ahorizontal direction or in neither direction. An electronic componentmay be substantially flexible or may be configured to maintain a shape(e.g. be substantially rigid) when it is in place on a garment. A tracethat is non-extendible in a vertical direction may be narrow in ahorizontal dimension (i.e. going around an individual). Such a narrowtrace may allow a garment to substantially expand in a horizontaldirection (such as when an individual is stretching a garment andplacing it on his body). A trace that is non-extendible in a verticaldirection may be narrow in a horizontal dimension (i.e. going around anindividual). Such a narrow trace may allow a garment to substantiallyexpand in a horizontal direction (such as when an individual isstretching a garment and placing it on his body). In some embodiments, agarment may have a maximum extendibility (which may be incorporated intothe garment size indication), such as based on the extendibility of atrace or the extendibility of the fabric. In some embodiments, anintelligent wear garment as described herein, does not include (does nothave visible) any wires, cables, and/or traces on an outside of thegarment.

An intelligent garment may include one or more than one body sensor. Abody sensor may be configured, for example, to sense a user's position(e.g. a specific location or position on or of a user's finger, arm,leg, torso, etc.) and a plurality of sensors may be used to sense aplurality of positions or locations (e.g. a specific location orposition on or of a user's finger, arm, leg, torso, etc.), a user'smovement, a user's physiological status including but not limited to acapacitive strain sensor, a conductive media (conductive ink) capacitivesensor, a conductive media (conductive ink) electrode sensor, aconductive media (conductive ink) resistive sensor, a fiber opticsensor, a metal electrode sensor, an optical sensor such as an opticalprobe sensor or an optical source sensor (e.g., a laser, a lightemitting diode (LED), etc.), a piezoresistive strain gauge sensor, asemiconductor sensor (e.g., a force sensor, a gyroscope, amagneto-resistor sensor, a photodiode sensor, a phototransistor sensor,a pressure sensor, and/or a tri-axis accelerometer). An intelligentgarment may include 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10-15, 16-20, 21-30,31-40, 41-50 or more than 50 body sensors.

An intelligent garment may include one or more interactive sensor (touchpoint). An interactive sensor (touch point) may be made from anymaterial that allows a user to activate it such as by a user's hand orproximity of a user's hand to activate the interactive sensor. Anintelligent garment may include 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10-15,16-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50 or more than 50 interactive sensors. Aninteractive sensor may be made from, for example, a conductive silicone,a plate of conductive media (conductive ink), or another type ofconductive material. An interactive sensor (touch point) may bedeposited on a fabric or may be woven into a fabric or sewn or gluedonto/into the fabric.

In some embodiments, an intelligent wear element (e.g. any element on orassociated with an intelligent wear item such as a sensor, trace, powersupply, etc.) may be flexible and/or conformable. In some embodiments,an intelligent wear element may be substantially rigid or may beconfigured to maintain a shape. Such an element may have a relativelysmall footprint so that the intelligent wear garment maintains itsflexibility and/or is conformable to a user's body. In some embodiments,a substantially rigid element may be on a portion of a garmentconfigured to contact a relatively inflexible portion of a user's body(e.g. a mid-back, a lower back, an upper back, along a femur, along atibia, along a foot, along a skull, etc.). For example, an element maybe in the back of a shirt and configured to line up with a user'srelatively inflexible mid back region). In some embodiments, asubstantially rigid element may be on a front of a garment. In someembodiments, the total garment surface area of an element (e.g. asmeasured by the surface area of the portion of the garment the elementcovers or) of one or all rigid elements is less than 1 cm², from 1 cm²to less than 2 cm², from 2 cm² to less than 3 cm², from 3 cm² to lessthan 4 cm², from 4 cm² to less than 5 cm², from 5 cm² to less than 10cm² or from 10 cm² to less than 20 cm², on either a garment front or agarment back or both together.

An intelligent apparel item may be provided with motion detectionsensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers to detectthe body position and movements and provide immediate feedback.

Another aspect of the invention provides a flexible, compressive shirtconfigured to continuously conform to a user's body when worn by theuser, comprising; a plurality of body sensors on the front of the shirteach configured to sense a user's physiological status and therebygenerate a plurality of physiological sensor signals; a plurality ofbody sensors on each sleeve of the shirt each configured to sense auser's motion and thereby generate a plurality of motion sensor signals;a plurality of elongated conductive traces on the garment each containedin a seam, the traces running from a plurality of body sensors in asubstantially vertical direction to a sensor pocket and configured tocommunicate the sensor signal from the sensor to a sensor module foranalysis; and an interactive sensor on the front of the garmentconfigured to transmit an interactive sensor signal to the sensor modulewhen the user's hand activates the sensor with a touch.

Another aspect of the invention provides a flexible garment configuredto continuously conform to a user's body when the garment is worn by theuser, the garment comprising: a body sensor on the garment configured tosense one of a user's position, a user's movement, and a user'sphysiological status and thereby generate a body sensor signal; aconductive trace on the garment, connected with the sensor andconfigured to communicate the body sensor signal from the sensor to asensor module for analysis; an interactive sensor on the garmentconfigured to transmit an interactive sensor signal to the sensor modulewhen the user's hand activates the interactive sensor wherein the sensormodule is configured to control an audio output and/or a visual outputin response to the interactive sensor signal; and a pocket on the backof the garment configured to hold the sensor module.

An intelligent apparel item or intelligent apparel system (sartorialcommunications apparatus) may act as an independent body measuringmechanism. Such a mechanism may allow sensors to (automatically)register appropriate body baseline measurements, including but notlimited to, arm and joint length, body mass, chest expansion,displacement, sizing/tailoring measurements, stretch measurements,and/or the deviation from a standard data set.

An intelligent garment item may include optical fibers or a bundle ofoptical fibers; an actuator (e.g. a vibrator, a pressure and/or triggerpoint device); a peripheral or accessory (e.g. a speaker, a microphone,a display, a keyboard, a switch, a camera, an illuminating system,etc.).

Additionally, an intelligent apparel item or intelligent apparel systemmay be infused locally or throughout with a desired substance, such asanother aromatic element, a deodorant, an electrolyte, a gel, amedication, a mineral, an ointment, a lotion, a perfume, a topicalsolution, or a vitamin. In some embodiments, an intelligent apparel itemmay perform as a transdermal delivery system, including, for example, asan iontophoretic delivery system. In conjunction with the intelligentwear electronics and sensors, a transdermal delivery system connectedwith an intelligent garment item can not only deliver medications andother item to a user, but the intelligent garment item can monitor theintelligent wear user before, during, and after delivery to ensureproper dosage, and to monitor desired vital signs and/or specificmedical or safety criteria. Such monitoring may also be done in theabsence of a transdermal delivery system.

An intelligent apparel item may contain a reservoir of desired material.A material may be, for example, an aerosol, a gas, a gel, a liquid, aplasma, a solid, etc. Such materials may be delivered to the user or toan area near a user. For example, an intelligent apparel item mayinclude a burst and leak resistant “release” pouches. Such a pouch maycomprise an internationally approved (such as with certified hazardanalysis) disbursement mechanisms for a non-flammable aerosol/gas/and/orliquid dispenser (release pouch). Such a pouch may be triggered torelease its contents via sensor feedback and invoked responses. Such apouch may be used for any reason, such as for an emergency managementapplication, firefighting, medical use, military use, personal safety,security, etc.

An intelligent apparel item may contain a temperature controlapplication. Such an application may include a “heat zone” or “coldzone” application, either alone or in conjunction with each other. Anintelligent apparel item may be configured to utilize or incorporate aphase change material. A “heat zone” or “cold zone” application mayactivate or adjust such a phase change material, such as in conjunctionwith other sensors (electromyography, goniometry, thermostat,temperature, skin galvanic, etc.)

An intelligent apparel item may contain . . . which may be activatedbased upon disability sensors indicating a reduced or over-extendedrange of motion or misaligned angular measurement. These sensors maywork together or alone to immediately pinpoint areas of fallibility andevoke therapeutic responses.

An intelligent wear item may include a shielding property. Such ashielding property may include protection from digital hacking such asof a sensor, data, within a wide area human node (WAHN) on or near anintelligent wear item. An individual or a group may form such ashielding property such as a “digital barrier” zone. Forming such a zonemay include forming jamming effects, forming transmission effects, orforming both types of effects. Such a zone may allow for thesimultaneous receipt of allowable transmission/telemetry/data whilesimultaneously transmitting jamming signals.

An intelligent apparel item may include one or more elements configuredto provide an action to a user, such as a defibrillator action, astimulatory action, a vibratory action. For example, an intelligentapparel item may include a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) unit, which may be useful, for example, for providing therapeuticnerve stimulation for healing and/or physical therapy. Any stimulatorcan work alone or conjunction with another sensor or function such as aheat zone or a cold zone for the activation of multi point therapeuticconcentrations.

Various functions or functional components may be incorporated into anintelligent apparel, or may be left as standalone elements integratedinto the system, such as follows. A WAHN may be integrated. Multipleintelligent apparel users may work in concert with the includedintelligent apparel sensors, in addition to having the benefit of thedata acquisition based upon their individual sensor readings, to createa wide area human node (“WAHN”) by having multiple intelligent apparelusers in proximity to one another. Such a WAHN may have amassedcentralized or distributed data collection and mining. Such a WAHN maybe utilized in conjunction with an intelligent system telemetry and dataresponse system. A hot spot may be integrated. A group of intelligentapparel users may create a hot-spot, such as an internet hot-spot. Sucha hot-spot may be private or public. Such a hot-spot may allow for acontrollable access and consumption zone, such as forinternet/Wi-Fi/cloud access. Such a hot-spot may be configured to act asa signal booster and/or repeater station, and may allow for thedevelopment of an instant wide area network shared via the intelligentapparel group. Such a hot-spot may provide an environment configured tobe controllable as a one-to-one private access, or configured to becontrollable as a one-to-many private/share experience. Such a hot-spotmay be created on its own or conjunction with a WAHN. An intelligentsystem event manager may be integrated. An intelligent garment systemmay also be configured so that specific functional data points areassigned to different intelligent wear users in different or definedlocations or environments, but when acting together in a WAHN evoke aresponse that is managed by the Intelligent System Event Manager. TheEvent Manager may have both predetermined conditional response elements,as well as Intelligent Apparel user programmability, or be managed ormodified such as via a designated third party in conjunction withencrypted and password protected access. Such Event Managers can bemachine learning based upon inputs, may be self-diagnostic and/or may beremotely programmable.

An intelligent apparel item may house or host a smart module (the“brain” of an intelligent apparel system). Such a smart module may beexpandable and adaptable such as with a modular electronic element,sensor, and software and firmware upgrades, and may have managecompatibility with industry adopted communications protocols and datacollection and distribution standards and security. An intelligentapparel system may comprise any or all of intelligent apparel item,smart module and an associated intelligent control software, a power anddata distribution system and intelligent sensors.

An intelligent garment may be a foundation item or a layer added to anexisting garment. It may be above, below, on, in, or extension ofanother (existing) garment or accessory, or any combination thereof. Itmay be positioned anywhere on, in proximity to, or in direct contactwith the intelligent garment user's body or extremities, and may includespecific and multiple sensors and activators locations, and may includeor allow for the incorporation of elements such as mentioned elsewherein the disclosure or as known to one of skill in the art, including, forexample, a printed antenna, an identification tag, an RFID elementsand/or other elements not already embedded within a sensor.

In some embodiments, an intelligent garment may be a stand-alonegarment, such as a single-layer compression garment or any other type ofform-fitting or adherent-to-the skin garment, as described elsewhere inthe disclosure (e.g. such as a short-sleeved shirt, a long sleevedshirt, a V-neck shirt, a turtleneck shirt, a tank top, shorts,underwear, leggings, leotards, gloves, feet gloves, a balaclavas, ahoodie, etc.). An intelligent garment may include electronics andconnections, sensors, touch points, optical fibers, actuators, and/orperipherals. Any such items may be located on an internal surface of thegarment, an external surface of the garment, or may be contained (e.g.embedded or woven) within the garment. In some embodiments, anintelligent garment may include one or more body sensors and one or moreinteractive sensors (touch points). Such an intelligent garment mayinclude a.) specific or multiple electrodes, conductive ink resistivesensors, conductive ink capacitive sensors that may use a direct skincontact placed on an internal surface of the garment for data gathering(e.g., brain electrical activity, heart rate, motion detection, muscleelectrical activity, oxygen saturation, skin conductance, skintemperature, tissue oxygenation, etc.) and/or for haptic feedback, suchas a vibrating activator or actuators and, b.) specific or multipleelectrodes, conductive ink resistive sensors, and/or conductive inkcapacitive sensors, which may be printed or incorporated on an externalsurface of the garment and useful as an interface for a user input (e.g.an interactive sensor or touch point). Such an interactive sensor mayprovide visual and audio feedback.

In some embodiments, an intelligent garment may have a single garmentwith a double layer (or may have more than two layers) and may allow fora differentiated collection of intelligent garments (such as, abuttoned-up shirt, a coat, gloves, a hoodies, pants, a polo shirt,shoes, shorts, a vest, etc.) each with an internal (compression) supportlayer. An external layer may be configured to conform to a user's bodyor may be configured to not conform to a user's body. Each layer mayinclude a specific category of elements such as sensors, probes,electrodes, conductive ink resistive sensors, conductive ink capacitivesensors, and/or actuators. The internal layer (e.g. conformable orcompression layer) may be configured to allow for direct skin contactwhen the garment is worn by a user, and the external layer may beconfigured as a user interface and/or feedback provider.

In some embodiments, an intelligent garment may be configured both to beused as a stand-alone item as well as be used in conjunction with one(or more than one) other intelligent wear item in an intelligent wearsystem (e.g., intelligent wear pants and an intelligent wear shirt wornwith intelligent wear shoes, or an intelligent wear polo shirt worn withintelligent wear shorts or intelligent wear pants).

In some embodiments, a first intelligent garment, whether configured tobe worn alone or worn in conjunction with a second intelligent garment(or configured for both), may have two layers or may have more than twolayers. A first or internal layer, such as a flexible layer for example,may be configured to conform to a user's body. Such an internal layermay provide contact or close proximity between an element such as a bodysensor on the layer and a user's body. A second or external layer may beconfigured to fit loosely over a user's body (as well as over aninternal layer). Such a second layer may provide a looser-fitting, morecomfortable, more fashionable and/or more socially acceptable looserouter garment. Such a system of two or more layers may provide alooser-fitting, more comfortable, more fashionable and/or more sociallyacceptable looser second (outer) layer while simultaneously providing aconforming first layer having a pathway for elements to function bycontacting or coming in proximity to a user's body. Any of the layers ofan intelligent garment may contain any of the elements described hereinor as known to one of skill in the art. A garment may also have morethan two layers. For example, a middle layer (or an outer layer) of agarment having multiple layers may provide a hidden interactive sensor(touch point) configured to transmit an interactive sensor signal when auser's hand activates the hidden interactive sensor or a user's handcomes into proximity to the interactive sensor. Two layers or more thantwo layers of an intelligent garment may be integral with one another(e.g. sewn or otherwise fixed together with one another) or may beconfigured to be temporarily attached with one another (e.g. using snapsor buttons) or may simply be separate items of apparel wornsimultaneously. Separate or attached but separable layers of apparel maybe advantageous, for example, by allowing the user flexibility to useeach of the layers with another item of apparel (mix-and-match). Forexample, a user may be able to have a smaller number of relatively morecomplex or more expensive inner layers (including sensors, connectors,etc.) (which inner lay may not be generally visible to another personwhen worn) and a larger number of external layers that provide morechoice and variety in the user's appearance. A user may have two (ormore) internal layers that have different configurations of elements.Each internal layer can be used with a different external layer. Anouter layer may be configured to cover an inner layer. An outer layermay be configured to only partially cover an internal layer. An outergarment or outer layer may be specifically designed to “match” orcomplement or otherwise be considered attractive or fashionable whenworn with an internal or other intelligent garment.

Any system of two or more intelligent wear items (including but notlimited to items described elsewhere in this disclosure) may be usedtogether. Such an intelligent garment may have a single layer or mayhave two layers or have more than two layers. An internal layer, such asa flexible compression layer for example, may be configured to conformto a user's body. A stand-alone item, as well as the intelligent wearsystem as a whole, may have a power (and data) distribution system thatsupplies and routes the required power and data paths in order tooperate the various elements, such as the multitude of electronics andsensors, actuators, conductive ink resistive sensors, conductive inkcapacitive sensors, electrodes, and probes located in the variousgarments and to manage the data flow between the sensors and the smartmodule, and the communication ports and protocols that manage thesystem.

In some embodiments of an intelligent wear system (such as, for example,a shirt and shorts) an internal compression layer of a multi-layered topgarment (such as a shirt) may act as a cross-connection componentbetween the top garment and a bottom garment. An internal layer mayextend in length lower than the external layer, such as down to thehips, and may be configured to support the power and data distributionsystem between the different pieces of garment. A proper connectingsystem may include but is not limited to a conductive glue, a snap, anda solder element and may allow or provide an electrical connectionbetween different components of the intelligent apparel system and/orbetween an intelligent apparel component and an intelligent accessory.

As described, an intelligent garment may be flexible and/or configuredto conform and/or configured to continuously conform to a user's body.An intelligent garment may comprise any material that is flexible and/orable to conform and/or able to continuously conform to a user's body,such as those known to a person having skill in the art. Such a flexibleor conforming garment may be especially comfortable and/or attractive.

In some embodiments, an element, hardware, etc. on an intelligentgarment may be flexible and/or configured to conform and/or configuredcontinuously conform to a user's body. In some embodiments, an element,hardware, etc. may be hidden or out of view. In some embodiments, anelement, hardware, etc. may be visible and may be attractivelypresented. Generally in the art, an element such as body sensor, aninteractive sensor, a conductive material etc. is inflexible (rigid)and/or non-extensible. It may be inflexible and/or non-extensible (ormay have an inflexible and/or non-extensible housing) to contain it,protect it from jarring, protect it from a stray signal, prevent it fromshorting, protect it from sweat, protect it from a cleaning agent suchas soap, protect it from water, etc. An element may be connected withanother element or other item by a wire which may be protected by abulky and/or relatively inflexible insulation. Such a material may beuncomfortable to a user due to their inflexibility (rigidity) and/orlack of extensibility when used by a user. Generating a conductive tracemay require a balance between material qualities such as conductivity,flexibility, smoothness, and washability. For example, a sensor or wireconnected to a music player such as an iPod or phone worn by a usercannot extend when a user moves. Instead, the user is constricted inmovement by the wire, or allows an “extra” loop of wire to hang down sothat the individual can move without constriction by the wire. Such arigid or inextensible element may be annoying, clumsy, dangerous, and/orunattractive to a user or others. For example, a hanging wire connectinga music player may easily get in a user's way or caught by a user'shand. The wire may then pull the music player to the floor, pull on thespeaker, entangle the user, etc. An inflexible (rigid) and/ornon-extensible element worn by a user may be constrictive anduncomfortable because it cannot extend to conform to the user when hemoves or bends.

In particular, the intelligent apparel and systems described herein mayovercome problems inherent in trying to connect an element such as asensor to another element such as module while maintaining an attractiveappearance, conformability, comfort, and/or extensibility of theapparel. An intelligent apparel may be specifically designed to overcomeproblems inherent in trying to bridge seams with conductive materialswith elongation issues, while maintaining comfort and performance. Anyor all of these functional components may be incorporated into theintelligent apparel, or may be left as standalone elements integratedinto the system.

In some embodiments, an element, hardware, etc. integral to, containedon an intelligent garment may be inflexible and/or inextensible. Such anelement or hardware may be placed, for example, on a region of thegarment configured to contact a portion of a user's body that isrelatively unmoving or inflexible. Such an element or hardware may beconnected with a flexible or extendible element. For example, aninflexible smart module may be placed on the back of garment and may beconnected by flexible and/or extendible traces to a front of a garment.Such a trace (or other element such as electronic element or device) maybe placed or contained within a seam, such as a welded seam. Such a seammay enclose the trace to prevent the trace from contacting the bodywhich may be uncomfortable or to prevent the trace from being visible,which may be unattractive to the user or to another.

An intelligent apparel system may comprise any or all of one or moreintelligent apparel items, accessories, or garments (and associatedelements), a smart module, an associated intelligent control software, apower and data distribution system and one or more actuators, conductiveink capacitive sensors, conductive ink resistive sensors, electrodes,fiber optic sensors, optical probes, other probes, and/or intelligentsensors.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of an intelligent wear shirt platform. Such awearable intelligent platform includes a wearable intelligent garment;sensors on the wearable intelligent garment such as body sensors andinteractive sensors; a flexible conductive connector on the wearableintelligent garment in the form of an ink trace for connecting sensorsto the sensor module; a sensor module for managing the sensors; and anoutput in the form of an actuator. The shirt includes a communicationplatform 81 configured to control communications, such as internalcommunication (e.g. integral to or within any garment or accessory) andexternal communication to an external communication system 90 (e.g. witha computer, the cloud, etc.). A communication platform may be anelectronic system, such as a phone that may be embedded in a garment ormay be removable. A communication system may include an application(app) configured to process data and a sensor, such as an inertialmeasurement unit (IMU). FIG. 4 also shows a sensor manager 83 inelectronic communication with communications platform 81. FIG. 4 furthershows an interactive sensor 84, a body sensor 85 such as a conductivemedia trace (conductive ink) trace used as an EKG sensor in electroniccommunication with the sensor manager 83. FIG. 4 also shows a peripheralelement 88 such as a speaker or microphone electrically connected withthe sensor manager 83 via a (flexible) electrical trace. An intelligentwear module (module, SWM) may house electronics and a microprocessor(s)configured to operate an intelligent wear garment or intelligent wearsystem (including any intelligent accessories) may include acommunication system 81, a sensor manager 83 and optionally a sensor 85.In some embodiments, such a module may comprise a housing configured tobe easily removed (e.g. in one piece). FIG. 4 also shows power supply82, which may be useful for supplying power to the communication system,sensor manager, sensors, peripherals, etc. Such a power supply may bepart of the module or may be separate from it and may supply powerthrough a trace 86.

A sensor manager may be configured to provide one or more than one thefollowing principal functions. A sensor manager may be configured toreceive and synchronize various analog and/or digital signals and/ordata (e.g. samples of signals measured at a given programmable samplingrate, which may be, for example continuously or intermittent or may bebinary (on/off) such as in the case of an interactive sensor). A sensormanager may be configured to provide front-end functions for an analogsignal, that include but are not limited to amplification of a signalfrom a peripheral sensor located elsewhere on an intelligent wear item,such as an accelerometers and photodiodes, a printed sensor, and/orprinted electrodes and/or touch point signals, filter an analog signalsuch as from an analog low-pass filter, high-pass filter or band-passfilter or stop-pass filtering a signal from a printed sensor and/or aninteractive sensor (touch point), and/or multiplexing of differentsignals, such as, for example those coming from various printed sensors,interactive sensors (touch points), etc. A sensor manager may beconfigured to convert an analog signal into a digital signal, such as adigital signal coming from any peripheral sensor such as anaccelerometer, a photodiode, a printed sensor, an interactive sensor(touch point), etc. A sensor manager may be configured to provide apower supply to one or more elements in or on an intelligent wear systemitem such as in or on a garment or an accessory. A sensor manager mayprovide a power supply, for example, by interfacing with a power source(e.g. a battery) and sending electrical power from it to a peripheralsensor, such as to an accelerometer, a photodiode, a printed sensor, aphysical sensor, and/or an interactive sensor (touch point), etc. on anintelligent wear item. A sensor manager may be configured to pre-processdata by implementing functions that include but are not limited todigital filtering of analog and/or digital signals, coding ofinteractive sensor (touch point) signals, conversion of continuous datainto time series data, etc. sensor manager may be configured tocommunicate by specific data communication protocols. A sensor managermay be configured to transmit and/or control a signal and to sendappropriate feedback to the user based on the signal, such as via ahaptic activator or actuator or touch pad on an intelligent wear item,an audio output, a visual interface, etc. Such an actuator may beconnected with the module, for example, by a vertical trace. A hapticactuator may transduce an electrical signal (e.g. from a module) into amechanical force. A haptic actuator may provide a feedback such as aforce, a vibration, or a motion to a user's body such as an arm, a face,a finger, a foot, a hand, a head, a leg, a neck, a thumb, a toe, and atorso. A haptic actuator may be an electroactive polymer, anelectrostatic actuator, a piezo actuator, etc. Haptic feedback may besent to a single actuator or to a plurality of actuators and may bebased on sensor signals from one or from more than one sensors. Hapticfeedback may be provided to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more than10 haptic actuators. For example, a sensor module may process sensorsignals from a plurality of position-based sensor on an arm of a user,such as a user performing yoga, and may send signals to a plurality ofhaptic actuators to encourage the user to move the arm to a differentposition.

An intelligent wear item or intelligent wear system may include anintelligent wear manager. A sensor manager may be part of an intelligentwear module or may be separate from it. Such an electronic module maymanage actuators, conductive media (conductive ink) resistive sensors,conductive media (conductive ink) capacitive sensors, electrodes,probes, sensors, and any other components and activities. An intelligentwear module may be configured to run on, for example, a rechargeablebattery and/or a disposable battery.

An intelligent wear module may be configured to have one or more of thefollowing functions: An intelligent wear module may be configured tofacilitate communication between items within an intelligent wear systemand/or from/to an intelligent wear system to/from outside an intelligentwear system (e.g. the cloud, a computer, a phone, a tablet, etc.). Anintelligent wear module may be configured to facilitate communication,for example via one or more standard protocols and/or one or more novelor proprietary protocols, such as via Bluetooth, infrared (IR), a mobilephone equipped with a SIM card reader (such as for immediate connectionto the cloud via a global system for mobile communications using anycarrier or subscription such as global system for mobile communications(GSM); general packet radio service (GPRS); enhanced data for GSMevolution (EDGE); universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS); anyother advanced mobile system network); radio frequency (RF), sonicsignature, Wi-Fi, etc., or any other protocols as appropriate. Anintelligent wear module may be attached to, be in proximity to, ormanufactured within, an intelligent garment, an intelligent wearaccessory, Wi-Fi, etc. An intelligent wear module may contact or be inproximity to other elements or components of an intelligent wear system,such as, a power and data distribution system (PDDS), associated powertraces, intelligent sensors, etc.

An intelligent wear module may be configured for integrating, storing,playing back, managing (uploading, downloading, distributing, accessing,comparing, analyzing, etc.), and controlling one or more of: 1.)activators, capacitors, ‘power traces’ and any associated power andsensors, probes, transmission and receptions points, such as two wayscommunication, etc. 2.) any intelligent sensors and any of their various(and numerous) data collection and transmission points via SM, 3.) localdata and content storage (memory), 4.) transmission and receipt ofexternal data and content, 5.) programming of the content assignmentwith the intelligent apparel interactive sensors (touch points), 6.)(immediate) converting of biometrics and motion data into “Expressions”(see below), 7.) generating audio, haptic, and/or visual feedback basedon a training session or other downloadable program, 8.) initiating andcontrolling transdermal control processes, 9.) local or externalcompliance, comparative, and irregularity feedback analysis based upondata collection or programming, 10.) managing plug and play aspects ofelectronics and intelligent wear module enhancements, and 11.)facilitating the social media elements such as sharing, location basedservices, and interactions, and 12) compatibility with industry acceptedprotocols. In some embodiments, an internal intelligent wear module maybe configured to be scalable and expandable. In addition to corefunctionality and processing power of the intelligent wear module,additional enhancements or functionalities may be included in anintelligent wear module or may be added (e.g. in a plug-and-playenvironment) to the intelligent wear module to, for example, increasefunctionality of the module and/or control additional enhancement(elements) added elsewhere in the intelligent wear system. Suchenhancements and functionalities include, but are not limited to,battery power, a bone stimulator, Bluetooth, a camera, a cold pack, adefibrillator, a dispenser, a display, earphones, global positioningsystem (GPS), a heat pack, infrared (IR) functionality, a jack (e.g. fora microphone, a light/LED, photo, etc.), radiofrequency functionality(RF), a speaker, an additional sensor, a vibrator, a solar cell, atransdermal delivery systems, and Wi-Fi. In some embodiments, anintelligent wear module may include a software development kit and/orintelligent control software.

An intelligent wear module may include a software development kit (SDK)configured to allow the creation of an additional application (“app”)for the module. Such an application may be based on an existing(commercial) software package or may be based on a proprietary softwarepackage. Such an application may be made on a fee basis or may be madefree to the user community. A developer (e.g. a member of the developercommunity) may develop applications using default or optional actuators,sensors, or other elements from the intelligent wear system specific tocertain uses such as for 1.) a group activity such as a virtual game, anactivity competition, a sports challenges and rankings, etc., or for 2.)a personal activity, such as a specific control system for healthcare, aspecific control system for entertainment purposes, etc.

An intelligent control software may include but is not limited to asoftware concept designs (e.g. a proprietary software as part of themodule) that facilitate: (user) creating (e.g. by the user) of an audiofile from the user's voice, creating sounds effects, editing andmanaging user content such as grabbing a “needle drop” or specificsection of music from a user's library, assigning a sound effect to abody part, modulating a musical response based on a user's movement(such as increasing the volume or the brightness of sound based on theuser raising his arm), activating specific bio-feedback as a musicaloutputs (such as a (musical) rhythm based on a user's heartbeat), etc.Other types of software may allow: controlling an LED lighting on ashirt (by a user) to play back or synchronize the lighting with a voiceor music, controlling a camera configured for facial recognition andtriggering an audio effect, a light effect, or a Facebook response whensomeone known is recognized, etc. A specific functional softwarecategory may include but is not limited to, supportingentertainmentwear, healthwear, heatwear, safetywear, securitywear,and/or sleepwear. Such software may, for example, create an automaticresponse (an automatic trigger) that may be based on, for example, asensor response or a biometric analysis. Such an automatic response mayinitiate a product purchase, a food delivery, a medical doctornotification, or a motivational item. In some embodiments, an automaticresponse may include a list of suggested items or alternative activitiesto those initiating the automatic response.

An intelligent garment or apparel system may include a power and datadistribution system (“PDDS”). Such a power and data distribution systemmay be applied to or incorporated into an intelligent apparel item. Sucha power and data distribution system may supply and/or route any powerand/or data paths to operate the multitude of electronics and sensorsused in conjunction with an intelligent apparel. Such a power and datadistribution system may facilitate communications between actuators,conductive ink capacitive sensors, conductive ink resistive sensors,electrodes, nodes, sensors, a wide area human node (WAHN) and/or any oftheir associated accessories. Additionally, a power and datadistribution system may manage data flow between sensors and the smartmodule, the communication ports, and the protocols that manage thesystem.

Within a power and data distribution system, an intelligent wear systemmay utilize a “power trace”. Such a power trace may act as a connectionpoint(s) for and between intelligent wear sensors. Such a power tracemay be configured to be a sensor. In addition to being a conduits forthe flow of power and data transmissions, a power trace may also createan interactive sensor (touch point) that can be activated through any ormore mechanisms including but not limited to capacitance, direct touch,gesture controls, light (spectrum specific), proximity, and sonicsignatures/sound. A gesture control may allow a user (or anotherindividual) to control an aspect of the intelligent wear system with agesture, such as shaking a hand up and down to function as ‘increase thevolume’ and ‘decrease the volume’. Gesture control recognition may bestandardized (e.g. determined by the module or an application such asfrom a library of pre-recorded and/or standard gesture based commands)or may by user control (e.g. a user may be able to determine how amodule responds to a particular gesture). A library of recognizablegestures may include, for example, gestures from sign-language. Agesture-based command may comprise a recording of data from movementdetected from intelligent wear accelerometers during a gesture event.Such a recording may be authenticated by a user and stored. Such acommand may then be detected by recognition algorithms to execute aparticular operation. A gesture based command may be based on data froman intelligent glove, which may comprise a plurality of accelerometers(such as on each finger, the palm, etc.) An intelligent wear button ortrigger point on a garment (such as a shirt) can be programmed to elicita specific response or functionality, such as activating a sound file,turning a display on or off, initiating a content or data transfer,initiating a transdermal flow, soliciting biometric feedback,controlling (changing) a volume level (volume control), controllinglighting, controlling a heat level, controlling a sensitivity level fora sensor, transmitting data, and managing connections and communicationsfor and between a smart module, the internet, a cell phone, and/or auser's smart phone (such as for an internet upload and downloads, etc.).Such an intelligent wear button or trigger point may take the place of aspecific hard mounted button or switch. A power trace may comprise oneor more than one component known to one of skill in the art or hereafterdevised such as 1) an electrically conductively media (electricallyconductive ink), an additive, or a material embedded in, on, or around atextile fibers within an intelligent apparel, a fiber optic such as viaone or more of a core, dye, nano configuration, resin, spray, thread, orvia such other manufacturing and/or deposition application such asembossing, heat transfer, pressing, screen printing, sublimation,weaving, working alone or in conjunction with or via 2) a topicalconductive component added, affixed, or sewn onto the intelligentgarment including but not limited to carbon fiber, flex film a moldedpart, nano tubes, a printed circuit board, a rigid material, etc.material, and/or 3) working wired material (such as a material known toone of skill in the art) and a harness such as a carbon fibers or thelike, which may be produced directly onto the intelligent apparel,applied via digital or direct print, or produced on a substrate (such asin the form of a transfer sheet or the like), and applied to theintelligent apparel via, for example, an industry acceptable mechanismsuch as a heat transfers, a sonic welds, or a method known by thoseskilled in the art. In some embodiments, a transfer may be electricallytested prior to being placed on an intelligent apparel item. Suchtesting may allow higher quality or less expensive intelligent wearmanufacture since only good-quality transfers (e.g. electrical traces)will be transferred onto a garment; garments will not be rendereduseless by a defective trace. A trace may additionally comprise anadhesive or glue which may be solidified to create a trace or may beuseful for holding a trace onto a garment.

In addition to a power functionality and a communication functionality,a power traces can be designed in such a way so as to create a heatpanel within the apparel. For example, when working in combination witha phase change material, a power traces can be used to regulate and holda hot or cold environment within the apparel. Such a power trace mayfurther work with a sensor, such as a thermostat, to create a furtherpersonal environmental control or to respond to a sensor input with anapplication of heat or cold to a specific location(s) within or on theintelligent apparel.

An intelligent garment or apparel system may include one or more thanone intelligent sensor. A “power trace” (such as described elsewhere inthe disclosure) may be used to supply power to a printed and/or physicalsensor and/or a detector array strategically located on the apparel(“intelligent sensor”). Such a sensor may include a sensor that is notself-powered. Such a sensor may be configured to measure any of a hostof physiological properties of the intelligent wear user that includebut are not limited to, 1). Heart rate, 2). Respiratory rate, 3).Inspiratory time, 4). Expiratory time, 5). Tidal volume, 6). Rib cagecontribution to tidal volume, 7). Abdominal contribution to tidalvolume, 8). Perspiration, 9). Pulse, 10). Moisture, 11). Humidity, 12).Elongation, 13). Stress, 14). Glucose Levels, 15). pH balance, 16).Resistance, 17). Wear, 18). Motion, 19). Temperature, 20). Impact, 21).Speed, 22). Cadence, 23). Proximity, 24). Flexibility, 25). Movement,26). Velocity, 27). Acceleration, 28). Posture, 29). Relative motionbetween limbs and trunk, 30). Location, 31). Specific responses orreactions to a transdermal activation. 32). Electrical activity of thebrain (EEG) such as in multiple sites, 33). Electrical activity ofmultiple muscles (surface EMG), 34). Arterial oxygen saturation, 35).Muscle and tissue oxygenation in multiple sites, 36). Oxyhemoglobinand/or deoxyhemoglobin concentration in multiple sites. Such a“intelligent sensor” may communicate with a smart module via wired ornow known long range, medium range, and/or short range wirelessapplication and communication protocols that include but are not limitedto Bluetooth, FTP, GSM, Internet, IR, LAN, Near Field, RF, WAP, WiMAX,WLAN, WPAN, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ultra Low Frequency, or hereafterdevised wireless data communication systems, versions, and protocols forpower and data communication and distribution; and may allow for all (ormany) of the systems to work alone or together, and may be reversecompatible.

In some embodiments, by combining data from the sensors with input datafrom the intelligent wear user, and with the additional input from a 3rdparty, the intelligent wear system can build or continue to build aportfolio of knowledge on the intelligent wear user, including, but notlimited to, for example, “likes” and “dislikes”, allergies and otherpossible negative responses to a stimulus, an associated biometricfeedback from such a reaction, and the ability to send an emergency callor Short Message Service (SMS) to others when the intelligent wear useris in distress from such a reaction.

Additionally, based upon the user's experience, the process may initiateordering/shopping from the user directly to a producer/supplier locationor site.

An intelligent wear system according to the disclosure may includeproviding, developing and/or creating software applications, mobiledevice applications, and hardware applications; providing, developingand/or creating soft-goods (such as a textile, a fabric, an apparelmerchandise); and/or hard-goods (such as an exercise equipment, wristband, etc.). Such an application may be utilized to create visual, audioand/or tactile effects that may be controllable by the user of suchapplications such as on soft-goods or hard-goods. Such applications maybe used in order to sense, read, analyze, respond, communicate and/orexchange content/data feedback with the user. Any type of communicationprotocol may be used, such as in conjunction with the internet, attachedor separate mobile devices, and other communication tools.

Such utilizing converging technologies (i.e., but not limited toincorporating electronics, software, biometrics).

Specialized location based elements and tracking components, inks, Nanoformulations, conductive materials, component transmitters, analysis andartificial intelligence response software and hardware, receivers, low,no, and high powered sensors, printed speakers, connectors, Bluetoothand USB functions, energy generating elements, medical and wellnesstracking and feedback devices, body movement and efficiencies andmechanisms for tracking and analyzing the same, and other such likeelements, alone or in conjunction with each other may be utilized in anintelligent wear system.

FIGS. 5A-5B show embodiments of intelligent garment items. In aparticular embodiment, FIG. 5A shows a first garment, such as a shirt,configured to be worn on a user's torso while FIG. 5B shows a second (orthird, fourth, fifth, etc.) garment, such as shorts, pants, headgear,etc. electrically connected with the first garment such that the sensormanager and communication system and application platform in the firstgarment manage the sensors from the second garment. FIG. 5A shows anembodiment of an intelligent wear shirt arrangement. Shirt 100 includesa communication system and application platform 101 configured tocontrol communications, such as internal communication (e.g. integral toor within any garment or accessory) and external communication to anexternal communication system 113 (e.g. with a computer, the cloud,etc.). A communication platform may be an electronic system, such as aphone that may be embedded in a garment or may be removable. Acommunication system may include an application platform 101 a (app)configured to process data, a communication device 101 b, such as Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, GPRS, a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS)phone and a sensor 101 c, such as an inertial measurement unit (IMU).FIG. 5A also shows a sensor manager 103 in electronic communication(indicated here and throughout by an arrow) with communications systemand application platform 101. FIG. 5 further shows an interactive sensor104, a body sensor 105 such as a conductive media trace (conductive ink)trace used as an EKG sensor in electronic communication with the sensormanager 103. FIG. 5A also shows a body sensor 107 (e.g. a peripheralsensor such as a tri-axis accelerometer, etc.), a peripheral element 108(such as a speaker, microphone, display, keyboard, switch, camera,illuminating system, etc.) electrically connected with the sensormanager 103 via a (flexible) electrical trace. An intelligent wearmodule (module, SWM) may house electronics and a microprocessor(s)configured to operate an intelligent wear garment or intelligent wearsystem (including any intelligent accessories) may include acommunication and application system 101, a sensor manager 103 andoptionally a sensor 105. In some embodiments, such a module may comprisea housing configured to be easily removed (e.g. in one piece). FIG. 5Aalso shows power distribution system 102, which may be useful forsupplying power to the communication system, sensor manager, sensors,peripherals, etc. Such a power supply may be part of the module or maybe separate from it and may supply power through a trace 106. Such apower supply may supply power to the first garment as well as to thesecond or additional garments or electrically connected intelligent wearitems. FIG. 5A also shows an actuator 109 on the shirt in electricallycontact with and controlled by the intelligent wear module. FIG. 5A alsoshows a light system including a light sensor 110 such as photodiode, aphototransistor, a photo-resistor, etc., an optical source 111 and anoptical fiber 112 (or bundle of optical fibers) in electricalconnection. FIG. 5B shows a second (or third, fourth, fifth, etc.)garment, such as shorts, pants, headgear, etc. electrically connectedwith the first garment, including an interactive sensor 114, a bodysensor 115 (such as an EMG sensor), which may comprise a conductivemedia trace (conductive ink) trace 116. FIG. 5B also shows a body sensor117 (e.g. a peripheral sensor such as a tri-axis accelerometer, etc.).FIG. 5B also shows a light system including a light sensor 120 such asphotodiode, a phototransistor, a photo-resistor, etc., an optical source121 and an optical fiber 122 (or bundle of optical fibers) in electricalconnection.

FIGS. 6A-E how various embodiments of an intelligent garment systemcomprising flexible apparel configured to continuously conform to auser's body when the garment is worn by the user. The garments include aplurality of body sensors. Each body sensor generates a body sensorsignal based on a user's body status or user's characteristic such as auser's position, a user's movement, or a user's physiological status. Aplurality of body sensor signals are sent to a sensor module where asensor board (FIG. 6E) on the module obtains the body sensor signals andthe module processes the signals to generate an output. Various outputscan be generated.

In some embodiments, an intelligent apparel item and any accessories maybe designed to allow a user to express themselves by transforming auser's biometric data into a specific expression or experience. Such anexpression or experience may vary depending, for example, on a) thespecific garment (and accessories) and b) the particular algorithm andcommunication provided by the smart module.

Varying levels of complexity of physiological signals may be utilized inorder to transform a user's biometric data into a specific expression orexperience. A particular garment may determine the accuracy and varyinglevel of complexity of the biometric physiological signals to be usedfor an assessment, e.g., such as for communicating feedback related torelaxation level and posture alignment for performing yoga, movement fordancing, movement precision for gymnasts, etc. For example, a leotard(i.e. a dancer's one-piece full body compression garment incorporatingfull leggings, socks, shirt with long sleeves, gloves and ahood/balaclava), may provide more accuracy then would a T-shirt or apolo shirt alone because it can cover the entire body of the user with amaximum number sensors and actuators. In one embodiment, a ‘full bodyleotard’ has 19 accelerometers: one on each shoulders and hip (4), oneof each knee and elbow (4), one on each hand (extensor indices) (2), oneon each foot (on the hallux) (2), one on each ankle (2), one on eachwrist (2), and one on the neck (rear) (1), one on the chin (1) and onethe upper parietal bone (1). Such a garment may other types of sensors,including but are not limited to, a heart-rate monitoring sensor (e.g.,in direct contact with the skin); thoraco-abdominal respiratory motionsensor; a skin conductance sensor (e.g., in direct contact to the skin).Such sensors may be connected through power traces to a sensor module,such as one incorporated into the garment between the scapulae. Aninteractive sensor (touch points) (from 1 to 10 or more than 10 sensors)may be located on the front of the chest, shoulders, legs and otherparts of the body. By activating an interactive sensor(s) (touch points)the user is able to send a command to the module. A command can beanything, such as calling a friend, sending a message, etc. A user maychose a particular garment based on the type of expression or experiencethey are in the mood for or may chose a particular program or algorithmof interest on a garment comprising a plurality of programs oralgorithms.

An intelligent wear module may host various types of software forimplementing various algorithms to evaluate and process each expressionor experience such as experiences and expressions described below andelsewhere in the disclosure. Such software and algorithms may beregularly updated and downloaded to a module, such as through aspecifically developed updating software. Biometric data such asphysiological signals may be collected by a sensor manager which may belocated in the intelligent wear module and then sent to the intelligentwear module. Such signals (or signals processed by the intelligent wearmodule) may be sent to the cloud by any modality, including but notlimited to real-time communication. An intelligent wear module (sensormanagement system) may also process and evaluate if a user's movements,posture, etc. are correct or as desired. Such a module may providefeedback to the user, for example by utilizing a specific software tocommunicate or provide a coded signal to a haptic or other type ofactivator ((e.g. for a vibration to an actuator) to the user. Such afeedback may be controlled, for example, via an open-loop feedbacksystem or via a closed-loop feedback system.

A few non-limiting embodiments are described herein by way of example.FIG. 6A shows a “Sound of Action” garment system configured to transforma user's movement (and physiological state) into music (e.g. a musicalexpression of the user's state). FIG. 6A shows a sound of action shirt130 with an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor on either side of the frontof the shirt to sense the user's heart rate. An ECG sensor may be incontact with a user's skin in order to sense a heart rate. The sound ofaction shirt 130 has accelerometers on the shirt sleeve (A1, A2) and thesound of action pants 132 has accelerometers (A3, A4) on the pants legs,and the sensor module comprises an accelerometer A0. Such a sensor maysense the user's position or the user's motion. Any type ofaccelerometer may be used (e.g., a tri-axis accelerometer, an inertialmeasurement unit (IMU)) and may be configured to measure anyparameter(s) to determine user motion or infer user motion (e.g. anaccelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, etc.). The body sensorsignals may be sent to the sensor module which records the data (e.g.the user's heart rate and the user's movement). Rather than tellinganother person how they feel, a user may communicate to them theirbiometric data; thus rather than provide an interpretation of thereality, they express true, objective facts. In some embodiments, themodule may transform the data into audio feedback, visual feedback, ortouch feedback based on the data. Such feedback may be used by the useror may be shared with others. In some embodiments, the data is convertedinto music based on the body sensor signals. In some embodiments, a usercan play the music through an audio output (such as speakers which maybe anywhere including on the module, earphones, etc. as describedelsewhere in this application). A user may allow feedback to be accessedby others (e.g., a friend(s), a loved one(s)), which may allow the otheraccess to a user's inner feelings. In some embodiments, a user canupload the music to a webpage (e.g. a specific, protected intelligentwear webpage). In some embodiments, a user can send (share) the musicwith a friend(s). A user can choose a type of music they prefer (such ase.g. classical, country, disco, electronic, hip-hop, jazz, modern folk,pop, rap, rock, etc.). The user can control any other aspects of musicgeneration (such as, e.g., dynamics, tempo, etc.).

As shown, the action shirt has interactive sensors (touch points). Thetouch points may are configured to control various aspects of a garmentsystem, including but not limited to controls (e.g. bass, dynamicson/off, volume, etc.) on or to a music playing device (earphones,speakers) or controls on a communication system (e.g. texting, webpageupload, etc.)

One aspect of the invention provides a method of providing feedback forencouraging behavior modification comprising: conforming a conformablegarment to the torso of an individual, the conformable garmentcomprising a plurality of body sensors configured to conform to thetorso; sensing a plurality of signals from the individual's body withthe plurality of body sensors; communicating the plurality of signals toa sensor module attached to the garment; processing the plurality ofsignals with a processor in a sensor module attached to the garment togenerate an output signal; converting the output signal into a feedbackoutput wherein the feedback output comprises a haptic feedback; anddelivering the haptic feedback to the individual to thereby encouragethe individual to modify a behavior. In some embodiments, the hapticfeedback comprises delivering a vibration to the individual to encouragethe individual to change a position, such as a body position, a limbposition, a head position, a joint position, or a neck position.

FIG. 6B shows a “Body Alignment” garment system configured to provide(immediate) feedback on a user's body posture and alignment so that theuser may correct a body position or alignment. Similar to the “Sound ofaction” shirt above, the alignment shirt 132 has an electrocardiogram(ECG) sensor on either side of the front of the shirt to sense theuser's heart rate and accelerometers (A1, A2) on the shirtsleeves, onthe torso of the shirt (A5, A6), on the pants legs (A3, A4) and on thesensor module (A0). An alignment shirt 132 has a first strain gauge SG1on a first sleeve and a second strain gauge SG2 on a second sleeve andstrain gauges (SG3, SG4) on the pants. Such a strain gauge may comprisea flexible and/or variable resistive media configured to measuremovement, such as bending or rotation of an arm or leg around an elbowor knee. The alignment shirt may include an electromyography (EMG)sensor. Such a sensor may comprise a conductive electrode for measuringa level of muscle activity. A pre-amplifier and/or amplifier may beconnected with the EMG sensor, which may be useful for boosting arelatively weak EMG signal. Similar to the “Sound of action” shirt, thealignment shirt 32 has interactive sensors (touch points) that may beconfigured and used as described elsewhere in the application. In orderto detect respiration (such as the frequency of breathing, the depth ofbreathing, etc.), the body alignment shirt also includes a firstrespiration sensor RESP1 that spirals around the chest (rib cage) and asecond respiration sensor RESP2 that spirals around the abdomen. Anytype of respiration sensors may be used. In one embodiment, arespiration sensor comprises a strain gauge, such as a conductive straingauge configured to change a level of conductance in response to achange in strain gauge length (e.g. stretching based the user's bodystretching). Body sensors gain data from the body and send the data tothe sensor module, the sensor module processes the response, the sensormodule compares the response with a standard (or with a previousmeasurement), the sensor module elaborates the response, the sensormodule provides feedback and a haptic actuator(s) acts on a portion(s)of the body that is different from the standard (or a previousmeasurement) such as by providing a vibration. The body sensors maycontinue to send data and as the user adjusts (corrects) a position of aportion of the body, and the sensor module processes the data, thesensor module may be configured to stop the haptic actuator fromvibrating (e.g. to stop sending a signal to vibrate).

A specific positioning of accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetoscopesand/or other sensors may provide data from a user on the (precise)movements of a user (e.g. an athlete, a patient, a yogi, etc.). Suchmovements may be used to determine the (precise) optimal execution oftheir movements in order to maximize the proper optimization of theirbodies. Such optimization may be calculated by taking in considerationone or more factors (such as activity, age, body alignment, bodystructure, body weight, environment, gender, health, skeletal structure,time of the day, etc.). Use of the module for body optimization mayinclude the steps of calculating (in real time) the variance between theuser's actual movements with an optimal movement and providing (realtime) feedback such as through a haptic actuators or other technology tosuggest the proper movement, the proper sport stroke or movementexecution, the proper body alignment or posture, etc. The varioussensors gain data from the body and send the data to the sensormanagement system. The sensor management system may elaborate theresponse and provide a feedback, such as a vibrating effect configuredto act on those portions of the body that are OFF from the correctpattern or position. In some embodiments, as or after the user adjuststheir movement to perform the correct execution, the actuators mayreduce the vibration feedback until reaching no (0) vibration when theproper movement is finally executed. In some embodiments, a feedback maybe delivered to the user for a certain time period and then turn itselfoff, and the cycle may be repeated until an acceptable user position oruser movement is sensed by the sensors. In some embodiments, a libraryof training sessions for activities, exercises, postures etc. may beavailable on an intelligent wear module or may be downloaded able from awebsite. A user, may for example, download one, two, three, four, fiveor more than five of the movement optimization system modules orprograms configured for improving execution of one or more athletic,sports, or other performances.

A movement optimization system may also promote correct body posture inany way. For example, a haptic (vibrating) response can help a user tocorrect a bad body position that might potentially cause or lead topotential injuries, and restore the correct balance and alignment. Amovement optimization system may: identify, address and providecorrective action or suggestion for an ache, a pain and/or a limitationssuch as related to (poor) posture alignment; improve, restore and/ormaintain a user's body's (e.g. user's joint, a user's muscle, etc.) fullor possible range of motion; develop and improve body awareness, postureand appearance; prevent pain and/or further degeneration such as muscledegeneration or joint degeneration; prevent or help prevent are-occurrence of a repetitive injury or reduce the severity of an injuryre-occurrence; relax a user's body such as through a haptic massageeffect and/or with audio input (e.g. sounds such as bird sounds, music,rain sound, waterfall sound, white noise, other sounds); identify,stimulate and/or treat a pressure point (e.g. an acupuncture point, anacupressure point, a muscle knot, a nerve point, anywhere in the bodysuch as in the arm, back, feet, head, hip, leg, shoulder, etc.;identify, stimulate and/or treat an inflammation or other warm area; asimilar (or the same) experience model may be replicated for different(or for all) programs in which proper posture is significant for theexecution of the activity (ex. yoga, Pilates, stretching, etc.)

An intelligent wear system can guide dynamic expressions through atraining program (such as a haptic activator used to suggest a movementworking in conjunction with vocal commands which may be given orreceived). Such a training program may, for example, be available from adisc, a module, downloadable from a website for a user's personal use,etc.

An intelligent wear system may work real-time in a group setting (e.g. aclass of students) in presence of an instructor. An instructor mayinstruct by: wearing a instruction intelligent device (IID), andproviding guidelines from the HD to the student(s) intelligent garment.Such an instruction may accelerate the student's learning process, forexample, by providing instruction and/or correction. Such an instructionmay be especially helpful in activities with synchronized movements suchas aerobics, Pilates, Step, Zumba, etc. (ex. right leg up, right armsdown, etc.). An instruction may provide instruction through voice and/orindividually customized haptic vibration to every user.

FIG. 6C shows “The Hero's Heart” garment system configured to providefeedback on the user having the fortitude to achieve a high (e.g. thehighest) inner peace during the most strenuous exercise and/or actions.Similar to some other systems described above and elsewhere herein, “TheHero's Heart” garments include accelerometers, ECG sensors, andrespiratory body sensors which gain data from the body and send the datato the sensor module. The sensor module processes the data and providesfeedback. “The Hero's Heart” is the user with a high level of innerpeace (or low stress level) while achieving a level of physicalexertion. For example, the lower the ratio of the two values, the higherthe level of fortitude. A “Hero's Heart” may be a cross-activityexpression in the intelligent wear system community: which may includeusers performing extreme activities, such artistic gymnastics, climbing,Parkour, etc., ranking results from such activities (such as in a singleHero chart), and standardizing such exhausting actions and inner peaceparameters such as by a combined and elaborated “Hero” algorithm.

FIG. 6D shows a “Meditation” garment system configured to provide afeelings-driven melody by detecting the user's psychological andphysiological status. The “Meditation” garment includes ECG sensors,respiration sensors, strain gauges, and touch points as described above,on the “Meditation” shirt. The meditation garment further includes asensor on a first sleeve of the garment and a sensor on a second sleeveof the garment. “Meditation” garment further includes pants to The“Meditation” garment system further includes a “Meditation” cap with anelectroencephalogram sensor (EEG) configured to detect brain waves. Asdescribed above, the body sensor signals from the sensors are sent tothe sensor module. The sensor module processes the data and providesfeedback. As described above, the sensor module is configured to providefeedback such as a feelings-driven melody. The feedback may be used as atraining technique. A user may be taught to improve their health and/orperformance by becoming more aware of, and using biometric signals from,their body. A user may become actively involved in controlling theirinner status. Any type of sensor may be used for an inner checkup. Insome embodiments, a wide variety of sensors work in unison for acomplete inner checkup. Such sensors may include but are not limited tothose described herein or as known in art. In particular, such sensorsmay include: heart rate monitor (to measure heart rate variability);galvanic response sensor (to measure the electrical conductance of theskin and the moisture level; which may be taken as indication ofpsychological and physiological arousal); skin temperature sensor (whichmay be taken as indication of cognitive and emotional states);perspiration sensor (which may be taken to measure relaxation vs.emotional stress and anxiety); electroencephalography (EEG) (which maybe taken to measure addiction, anxiety disorders (includingposttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, worry),attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivitydisorder (ADHD), depression, learning disability, migraine, andgeneralized seizures); blood pressure sensor (which may be taken tomeasure and monitor level of relaxation vs. stress and variations);electromyography (EMG) (which may be taken to measure muscle tensionand/or muscle relaxation vs. neuro-muscular hypertension andoverexertion); breathing rate sensor (to measure relaxation vs. anxiety(relaxation may be taken to correspond so to a lower respiratory rate(slow and deep breathing)); anxiety may be taken to correspond to ahigher respiratory rate (rapid and shallow breathing), etc.

In some embodiments, a significant role may be given to skin conductancewhich increases when a person is more aroused (e.g., engaged, excited,stressed), while it tends to stay low or drop when a person is lessaroused (bored, calm, disengaged).

In some embodiments, based on the tracked sensor data, the anintelligent wear module (sensor manager) may simultaneously convert theuser biometric output (e.g., physiological signals) into a musicalfeedback whose quality (e.g. brightness or depression of the sound,major or minor key, rhythm, speed) changes based on the user'sphysiological and/or psychological changes.

Using feedback as described herein, a user may be able to learn how torely on the power of their mind to improve their overall health and livebetter.

Another aspect of the invention includes an intelligent wear systemconfigured to provide communication between a plurality of individuals,including an intelligent wear garment item user. Instead of, or inaddition to an intelligent garment system providing feedback, such ashaptic feedback or musical expression to an individual, an intelligentgarment system may provide communication between a plurality ofindividuals. In one embodiment, an intelligent wear system may provide acommunication based on an intelligent wear garment user's performance. Asystem may be configured for communicating physiological data from auser (rather than or in addition to communicating a subjectiveinterpretation based on the physiological data). For example, a systemmay be configured to allow a user to set a personal goal, and(automatically) communicate to another individual when they hit theirgoal (e.g. a threshold). Such a communication made be sent to a friendor to a gateway such as a computer or website. Such a process may becontrolled though an intelligent wear application such as on anintelligent wear module. An intelligent wear system may also or insteadbe configured to allow an intelligent wear user to share an audioexpression (a music expression) or a video expression based on theirbody such as through dance, other movements and/or postures. Such anexpression may be created by the intelligent wear system (e.g.intelligent wear module). For example, an application on an intelligentwear module can measure (interpret) a user's performance, such a Parkouruser's performance, while he is developing or training for improved(increased) strength, endurance and balance though a course, such as aParkour course. Such a user may set a goal they want to achieve, and theintelligent wear system may notify a user's friend when the goal is hit.There are common parameters that may help measuring the execution of themoves. Such a goal may be any of the various types of Parkour moves,such as, for example, maximum gravitational defiance, rotational speed,movement speed, time spent off feet, time spent upside down, jumpelevation, distance travelled in the air, time of balance in an extremeenvironments, etc.

In some embodiments, an intelligent wear system may provide acommunication to an individual or to a location available to anindividual or to a group based on an intelligent wear garment user'scultural behavior and/or gestures. A cultural behavior and/or gesturemay be translated into an intelligent input on an intelligent weargarment item. Such a cultural behavior and/or gesture can be adapted tocreate a cultural expression that may initiate a specific command or aninnovative means of communication. Such a command or means ofcommunication may be customizable (such as in an application by theintelligent wear item user). For example, hitting a first on one's hearttwice and then making the peace sign may be an African-American sign forpeace out, I love you. Such a communication may have roots in AmericanSign Language, meaning “I give you my heart and peace”. A basketballplayer uses this kind of gesture when they score. Applied, for example,to an interactive sensor (touch point) on an intelligent wear shirt, theintelligent wear system may be configured to activate the delivery of amessage to all the player's fans (e.g. automatically and/orinstantaneously) in response to the player making the gesture. ‘I loveyou’ may then appear on a social network, available for close and farfans. In another example, a somersault performed by a soccer playerafter he scores a goal may be recognized by intelligent sensors (e.g.accelerometers) on an intelligent wear garment and may activate thedelivery of a player message such as to fans, friends, offspring, aspouse, etc. In another example, an intelligent wear garment system maydetect using intelligent sensors such as accelerometers on intelligentwear items such as shirts, a gesture, such as a handshake, high-five,first bump, chest bump, hug, etc. between the intelligent wear shirtusers. A gesture-based command in combination with a communicationprotocol (e.g. a standard communication protocol) may result inalternative social communication systems based on recognized culturalbehaviors between intelligent wear users. For example a gesture (such asthose described above) in combination with NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi mayinitiate data sharing. The proximity of the items (e.g. shirts) mayactivate the immediate (e.g. automatic) sharing of personal data orother type of content previously set by the user(s) between the users inresponse to the gesture. Such data or content may go from a first userto a second user and may also go from the second user to the first user.Such data or content may include personal data such as business cardinformation, content sharing such as music, expressions, etc. and/orfriendship functions such as “add friend” or “follow user” features.

In some embodiments, an intelligent wear system may be configured toprovide a communication to an individual (or to a location available toan individual or to a group) based on an intelligent wear garment user'svocal communication (voice). Such a communication may comprise providingimmediate connectivity and message delivery. An intelligent wear usermay for example, activate (or receive) a call, send (or receive) an SMS,send (or receive) an email, and/or share an instant messages through anintelligent wear platform and a social network (such as Facebook,Twitter, etc.) even while engaging in an activity such as playingtennis, climbing a mountain, running, riding a bicycle, driving a car,etc. Such a communication may be activated via voice recognition and avoice-to-text feature may allow instant creation and sharing of messageson social networks even without typing. (In addition to providing ahands-free option for a user engaged in an activity, a voice recognitionmay be faster than text message. Voice recognition is considered eighttimes faster than text messaging).

In some embodiments, an intelligent wear system may be configured toleave audio content and/or other messages in a specific location. Insome embodiments, an intelligent wear system may be configured to benotified that audio content and/or other messages are available to anintelligent wear system user as they enter a designated area. Such audiocontent and/or messages may be from an intelligent wear user to others,such as ‘a friend to friends’, “an intelligent wear system applicationor website to users’, ‘third parties to users’, ‘users to intelligentwear system application or website’, etc. An intelligent wear systemuser may be notified through any means, such as audio, haptic, and/orvisual notification as they enter a designated area. For example, one ormore fans can share a team anthem with other fans at a stadium to playthe anthem simultaneously (such as via a synchronization feature, or tosynchronize wave-type). In another example, street dancers using anintelligent wear system can exchange musical bases for theirperformances based on locations, such as hip-hop bases in which a groupof break dancers may perform.

In some embodiments, an intelligent wear system (e.g. an ExpressionsCrowd-Sourcing open platform such as an expression crowd-sourcing openplatform) may offer an advanced social tool for crowd-sourcing andsharing. Using such a social tool, a user may be able to upload/downloada library of expressions, such as in the form of biometric formulas(software) and/or videos and/or supported by an audio input. Such anexpression may be, but is not limited to, a training session (such as,e.g., for Pilates, tennis yoga, etc.), a cultural dance, a bodyalignment instruction, an extreme body posture instruction, an exercise,other body moves, etc. A formula may be used for creating an expressionor a library of expressions. A formula may be built for creating such anexpression or a library of expressions. For example, a plurality ofsensors may track an intelligent wear user's execution of an expressionsuch as via a motion detection system. Such a system may automaticallyregister the movements and convert them into a pattern or function (“aformula” or a “built formula”) that retains relevant information aboutthe movement (e.g. balance, positioning, sequence, speed, etc.) Aformula may be sharable with another intelligent wear system user. Sucha formula may be able to adapt to different body shapes andphysiological status, and may include preserving proportions inpostures, movement extension, elevation based on user's height, etc. Auser may obtain (e.g. download) a built formula expression and use it,such as learning to execute the movements (e.g. repeatedly, such as veryaccurately). A formula (e.g. an expression formula) may include traininginputs such as haptic feedback that can be activated during the user'sexecution of the movements. Sensors on the user's intelligent wearsystem may gain data from the user's body (e.g. movements) and send themto the module. Such a module may (immediately) elaborate a response andprovide the intelligent wear/formula user feedback based on the formula.For example, a vibrating effect may act on a portion of the user's bodythat are OFF the proper alignment or zone. As the user adjusts theposition and enters the proper alignment or the right zone, an actuatormay stop the vibration to indicate that the user is engaging in thecorrect movement.

Depending on the type of activity, an intelligent wear system can alsoguide dynamic expressions through haptic activators that suggestparticular movements. Such an expression may work in conjunction with(e.g. be controllable by a vocal command).

Such a training program may also work real-time in the presence of aninstructor, who may wear a ‘leading’ intelligent garment item that mayprovide guidelines to a class of students wearing ‘receiver’ intelligentwear items. Such an instruction may enhance the teaching process and actto create synchronized movements such as in aerobics, step, Zumba,Pilates, etc. (for example, right leg up, right arm down, etc.).

Another aspect of the invention comprises a flexible garment configuredto continuously conform to a user's body when the garment is worn by theuser, the garment comprising: a body sensor on the garment configured tosense one of a user's position, a user's movement, and a user'sphysiological status and thereby generate a body sensor signal; aconductive trace on the garment, connected with the sensor andconfigured to communicate the body sensor signal from the body sensor toa sensor module for analysis; and an interactive sensor on the garmentconfigured to transmit an interactive sensor signal to the sensor modulewhen the user's hand activates the interactive sensor wherein the sensormodule is configured to control an audio output and/or a visual outputin response to the interactive sensor signal.

In some embodiments, the flexible garment comprises a compressivematerial. In some embodiments the flexible garment is configured toexpand and contract. In some embodiments, a body sensor on the flexiblegarment is configured to be in electrical contact with the user's skin.

One aspect of the invention provides a method of washing a conformablegarment comprising a plurality of sensors, the method comprising:placing a conformable garment comprising a plurality of body sensors anda plurality of interactive sensors attached thereto into an aqueoussolution comprising a cleaning agent; and moving the garment through theaqueous solution and cleaning agent; separating the conformable garmentfrom the aqueous solution and cleaning agent; and drying the conformablegarment.

A conformable garment comprising a plurality of sensors, such as thegarments shown in FIGS. 6A-D, may comprise a body sensor, an interactivesensor (touch point), a conductive trace and/or other featuresconfigured to be sufficiently water and soap resistant so that thegarment may be immersed in an aqueous solution. Such a garment may bewashed using standard washing methods and machines using an aqueoussolution (water) and a cleaning agent such as a detergent. Such agarment may be configured to withstand additional solutions such as afabric softener, a cleaning solution comprising an enzyme configured toclean a garment, or other known cleaning methods. A conformable garmentmay be sufficiently dryer resistant so that exposure of the garment to adryer, such as a conventional clothes dryer, does not damage thesensors, touch points, and/or other features. In one example a sensor, atouch point, and/or other features may be sufficiently sealed to preventwater entry into electrically conductive or other water-sensitiveportions. In another example, an electrically conductive portion of asensor, a touch point, and/or other features may be configured torecover after being exposed to a washing cycle (and a drying cycle). Insome embodiments, a conformable garment comprising a plurality ofsensors, such as the garments shown in FIGS. 6A-D, may comprise a bodysensor, an interactive sensor (touch point), a conductive trace and/orother features configured to be sufficiently chemical resistant so thatthe garment may be immersed in a dry-cleaning solution. (e.g., may beresistant to damage from a dry cleaning process or exposure to a drycleaning reagent.

A garment, such as a shirt, may have a front and a back and may have apocket (e.g. in the back of the shirt) and the pocket may be configuredto hold a sensor module on the back of the shirt.

One aspect of the invention provides a wearable communications devicecomprising: a collar configured to wrap partially around a user's neckand to hold a shape and comprising at least one of a speaker and amicrophone; and a base region connected with the collar and configuredto provide electrical communication between a sensor module and thecollar wherein the sensor module is configured to connect with aconformable garment comprising a plurality of body sensors.

FIG. 7 shows a wearable communication device 172 configured to becontrollable by a sensor module, such as to communicate an audio outputsignal from the sensor module. The audio output signal may comprise asignal to play music, stop playing music, turn on or turn off amicrophone, or control another audio output. Wearable communicationdevice 172 has a collar 170 with a first collar arm 171 and a secondcollar arm 172. Wearable communication device 172 has a sensor moduleconnector 174 is configured to connect with sensor module 176. Wearablecommunication device 172 and/or collar 170 and/or first collar arm 171and/or second collar arm 172 (and any other wearable communicationdevice components or parts) may be sufficient rigid so that a user maygrab such a component or part and use it to place wearable communicationdevice 172 in connection with sensor module 176. Wearable communicationdevice 172 and/or collar 170 may be sufficient rigid so that a user maygrab the base region or collar and use it to place connected sensormodule 176 into a pocket 178 on the back of an intelligent garment. Sucha module may include one or more cables configured to electricallyconnect with the collar (such as on a flap or board). A connectionbetween a module and collar may be easily made, such as by a single jackor other connector. Such a jack may be placed on the higher side of thecollar, such that it allows the neck to bend backwards with little/nointerferences. Earphones 180 (earbuds) may be attached to the baseregion or collar and speakers and/or a microphone may be connected withthe collar (or earphones). In a particular embodiment, a wearablecommunication device may include 2 loudspeakers, a microphone, a phonejack, and 6 switches (power on/off, Wi-Fi on/off, Bluetooth on/off,microphone on/off, speaker volume, and microphone volume).

In some embodiments of a flexible garment, a conductive trace (forexample to connect a body sensor or touch point to a sensor module) isconfigured to conform to the user's body when the flexible garment isworn by the user. In some embodiments of a flexible garment, theconductive trace is on a surface of the garment.

FIGS. 8A-8B and FIGS. 9A-B shows the front side, and back side,respectively of a flexible intelligent wear garment configured to outputan output signal to a phone, computer, the cloud, etc. as describedelsewhere in this application. Body sensor 190 a, such as a heart ratesensor is connected by flexible trace 192 to sensor module 196 on theback of the shirt. A second body sensor 190 b, such as another heartrate sensor, may also be connected (such as from the oppositedirection). FIGS. 9A-B show a first respiratory sensor 198 on a garmentand configured to wrap (e.g. annularly) around a user's rib cage when onthe garment is on a user. FIG. 9B also shows a second respiratory sensor200 on a garment and configured to wrap (e.g. annularly) around a user'sabdomen when the garment is on a user. First respiratory sensor 198 andsecond respiratory sensor 200 are connected with sensor module 196 witha conductive media. In some embodiments, a garment has a first axis anda second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a trace is configuredto substantially follow the first axis (and not follow the second axis).Manufacturing a garment with an annular trace (e.g. one that isconfigured to wrap around a garment) may be challenging. For example, itmay be difficult to manufacture a 3-dimensional trace onto a2-dimensional substrate (which trace would be electrically testableprior to final garment assembly). It may be difficult to transfer a3-dimensional annular sensor from a substrate to a garment. In someembodiments, a method of manufacturing an intelligent wear garment witha body sensor, such as a respiratory body sensor, may include placing afirst portion of a sensor on a garment and placing a second portion ofthe sensor on the garment such that the second portion overlaps with thefirst portion. In some embodiments, one or both portions may beelectrically tested prior to final garment assembly. In someembodiments, an electrical trace may be manufactured inside a tube or acutaway tube prior to garment assembly. Such a tube may be substantiallystraight or may be substantially curved. In some embodiments, arespiratory sensor may comprise a pattern configured to measure achange, such as a zigzag pattern on a front of a garment. One or two ormore than two such sensors may be present on a garment, such as over therib cage area and over the abdominal area when the garment is beingworn.

Respiratory measurements: External measurement of chest wall surfacemotion can also provide a useful way to estimate pulmonary ventilationand to circumvent the potential problem that may occur when pulmonaryventilation is assessed by integrating the airflow measured at theairway opening by a pneumotachograph. Variations in temperature,humidity, pressure, viscosity and density of gas determine integrationdrift so that changes in absolute lung volume may not be accuratelyrecorded. Other methods, such rebreathing from a spirometer or abag-in-box system, may be difficult to apply for prolonged time periods,while collecting expired gas in a large spirometer or gas tight bag(e.g., a Douglas bag) may cause problems due to the gasometer, which mayrequire intermittent calibration over time and does not allow abreath-by-breath analysis.

In the last decades, a number of devices and methods have been developedin order to allow measurements of rib cage and abdominal motion. Inparallel, several attempts have been made to define calibration methodsable to estimate volume changes of the single lung compartments, of theentire chest wall, and of the lung from measurements from the diameters,circumferences or cross sectional areas, such as the iso-volume method,changing posture (Chadha T S, Watson H, Birch S et al. Validation ofrespiratory inductive plethysmography using different calibrationprocedures. Am Rev Respir Dis 125:644, 1982), and the natural breathingmethod (Sackner, M. A., H. Watson, A. S. Belsito, D. Feinerman, M.Suarez, G. Gonzalez, F. Bizousky, and B. Krieger. Calibration ofrespiratory inductance plethysmography during natural breathing. J.Appl. Physiol. 66: 410-420, 1989). The validity of the calibrationcoefficients obtained experimentally to convert one or two dimensions tovolume is generally limited to the estimation of tidal volume underconditions matched to those during which the calibration was performed(Zimmerman, P. V., S. J. Connellan, H. C. Middleton, M. V. Tabona, M. D.Goldman, and N. Pride. Postural changes in rib cage and abdominalvolume-motion coefficients and their effect on the calibration of arespiratory-inductive plethysmograph. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 127:209-214, 1983).

Measurement of diameters: Magnetometers were the first instrumentsdeveloped in the late sixties to measure changing diameters duringbreathing (K. Konno and J. Mead, “Measurement of the separate volumechanges of the rib cage and abdomen during breathing,” J. Appl. Physiol.22(3):407-422, 1967). Two pairs of coils were usually placed on thefront and on the back of the rib cage and abdomen; one coil was used asa generator and the other (‘sensing coil’) was used as a receiver ofmagnetic field. Since the output voltage of the sensing coil isproportional to the intensity of the magnetic field, which variesproportionally with the cube of the distance separating the transmitterand the receiver, a magnetometer is able to record changes in theantero-posterior diameters of the chest wall. This nonlinearrelationship between voltage and distance, however, requires accurateand frequent calibrations. To calibrate the device in order to measuretidal volume and to separate the rib cage and abdominal components, oneapproach requires iso-volume maneuvers to be performed according to thetechnique of Konno and Mead (K. Konno and J. Mead, “Measurement of theseparate volume changes of the rib cage and abdomen during breathing,”J. Appl. Physiol. 22(3):407-422, 1967). Another approach assumes thatspontaneous breathing and its normal variation is sufficient tocalibrate the device, allowing this technique to be applied also withnon-collaborating subjects (Sackner, M. A., H. Watson, A. S. Belsito, D.Feinerman, M. Suarez, G. Gonzalez, F. Bizousky, and B. Krieger.Calibration of respiratory inductance plethysmography during naturalbreathing. J. Appl. Physiol. 66: 410-420, 1989). In addition, themagnetic field recorded by the sensing coil can be influenced bymetallic objects in the surroundings and is therefore difficult to usein certain settings, such as a hospital setting.

An alternative approach which is commercially available, particularlyfor monitoring respiration in infants, is to measure variations of chestdiameters through measurements of transthoracic electrical impedancevariations (V. Gramse, A. De Groote and M. Paiva. Novel Concept for aNoninvasive Cardiopulmonary Monitor for Infants: A Pair of Pajamas withan Integrated Sensor Module. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, Vol. 31,pp. 152-158, 2003). A small amplitude, high-frequency current is appliedthrough a pair of electrodes and the resulting voltage is demodulated toobtain impedance measurements. Some advantages of this technique arethat the electrodes are relatively small, mechanically stable andinexpensive, and can be used to simultaneously record the ECG. However,such electrodes often cause skin irritation in infants and cardiacartifacts are difficult to be separated from a respiratory signal.

Measurement of circumference or cross-sectional areas: Numerous devicesbased on sensing belts positioned on the rib cage and abdomen orwearable garments embedding different kinds of sensors have beenproposed as systems for breathing detection based on chest wall surfacekinematics. Changes in the circumference or in the cross-sectional areaare then usually used to estimate tidal volume and relative rib cage andabdominal contributions to tidal volume and thoraco-abdominalasynchronies. Various sensor technologies can be used in differentsensing belts. Technologies include mechanical transducers, such ascapacitive elastic strain gauges (V. Gramse, A. De Groote and M. Paiva.Novel Concept for a Noninvasive Cardiopulmonary Monitor for Infants: APair of Pajamas with an Integrated Sensor Module. Annals of BiomedicalEngineering, Vol. 31, pp. 152-158, 2003 and piezoelectric films (Pennock1990), ultrasound waves in a rubber tube 0 (Lafortuna and Passerini1995) and optical sensors (fiber optics) (. Optical fibers have beenrecently proposed as an alternative method to detect thoracic andabdominal circumferences in non-invasive respiratory monitoring systemsA. Babchenko, B. Khanokh, Y. Shomer, and M. Nitzan, “Fiber optic sensorfor the measurement of respiratory chest circumference changes,” J.Biomed. Opt. 4(2), 224-229, 1999) (D'Angelo et al. 2008). Themacro-bending loss effect in optical fibers arranged in figure-of-eightloops have the advantages of increased linearity of response, higherresolution and sensitivity and lower mechanical resistance andhysteresis. This approach enables measurement of respiratory and cardiacfunction using the same transducing fiber.

Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography (RIP): Respiratory inductiveplethysmography allows measurement of changes of rib cage and abdominalcross sectional areas by two coils of insulated wire sewn inside10-cm-wide elastic bands which are usually placed below the axillaryline and above the umbilicus. The two wires are connected to anoscillator module. The principle of RIP relies on the outputfrequency-modulated signals, which are proportional to variation in theself-inductance of the coil. The self-inductance of the coil is in turnproportional to the cross-sectional area enclosed by the coil, andtherefore it varies as the rib cage and the abdomen expand and contractduring respiration. The oscillatory signals are then sent to ademodulator unit that provides the output signals (Milledge, J. S.,Stott, F. D. Inductive plethysmography—a new respiratory transducer. JPhysiol (Lond) 267:4, 1977.) (25) (26). Recently, RIP has been embeddedin a multi-function wearable device consisting of a Lycra@ garment forcontinuous ambulatory monitoring of respiration. The system alsoincorporates ECG and a tri-axial accelerometer (Heilman, K. J., Porges,S. W., 2007. Accuracy of the LifeShirt (VivoMetrics) in the detection ofcardiac rhythms. Biol. Psychol. 75, 300-305.).

Measurement of respiratory volumes: Optical systems. A variety ofoptical techniques using multiple video cameras combined with eitherlight projected on the chest surface or reflective markers positioned onit have been proposed to track the changing shape of thethoraco-abdominal surface during breathing and from this to calculatethe enclosed volume. Optical methods based on structured light toanalyze chest wall movement during breathing have been pioneered byPeacock et al (refs), who firstly introduced a technique for mapping thesize and shape of the thoraco-abdominal wall (Peacock A., Gourlay A. andDenison D. Optical measurement of the change in trunk volume withbreathing. Bull. Eur. Physiopath. Resp. 21: 125-129, 1985; Peacock, A.J., Morgan M. D. L., Gourlay, S., Tourton, C. and Denison, D. M. Opticalmapping of the thoraco-abdominal wall. Thorax. 39: 93-100, 1984). Thiswas achieved by projecting a grid on sheets of light creating contourlines on the visible surface of the torso, recording them by still orvideo camera and reconstructing the shape from the digital information.Knowing the relative positions of the cameras and the projector permitsthe reconstruction of three dimensional data concerning thethoraco-abdominal wall and methods for calculating and cross-sections,surface areas and volumes. In 1986 Saumarez described a similar systembased on a projector shining approximately vertical stripes on the torsoand television cameras scanning with horizontal lines the body. Thesesystems, however, remained confined in few research applications, notincluding exercise, because of the difficult use and the complexity ofthe procedures of data processing. More recent advances in usingstructured light to measure surface topography are nowadays opening newperspectives for the development of more automatic procedures to processthe data and to obtain chest wall surface movement and volume variationsduring breathing. These include color structured light systems (HuijunChen et al. Color structured light system of chest wall motionmeasurement for respiratory volume evaluation. Journal of BiomedicalOptics 15(2), 026013, March/April 2010), in which the projection of anencoded color pattern on the subject's torso and few active markersattached to the trunk allows accurate measurements of 3-D topographicchanges of the chest wall to be obtained and from these total andcompartmental measurements of volume variations with a good level ofautomation in the data processing.

Opto-electronic plethysmography: Opto-electronic plethysmography isbased on a motion analyzer that measures the volume of the chest walland its compartments by means of retro-reflective markers placed on thetrunk of the subject in selected anatomical reference sites of the ribcage and the abdomen. Each camera is equipped with an illuminator(infrared light-emitting diodes) that determines a high contrast betweenthe reflective marker and the rest of the scene on the recorded imagesthus allowing the fully automatic recognition of the markers. If eachmarker is seen by two or more TV cameras, its position (defined by thethree dimensional coordinates) can be calculated bystereo-photogrammetry. The markers are positioned on approximatelyhorizontal rows at the levels of the clavicular line, themanubrio-sternal joint, the nipples, the xiphoid process, the lowercostal margin, the umbilicus and the anterior superior iliac crest.Surface landmarks for the vertical lines are the midlines, both anteriorand posterior axillary lines, the midpoint of the interval between themidline and the anterior axillary line, the midpoint of the intervalbetween the midline and the posterior axillary line, and the midaxillarylines. Extra markers are added bilaterally at the midpoint between thexiphoid and the most lateral portion of the 10th rib and incorresponding posterior positions.

From 3D marker coordinates measured by OEP, kinematics of the chest wallcan be studied considering different parameters at different rib cageand abdominal levels, such as distances (e.g., anteroposterior ormedio-lateral diameters), perimeters (by summing the 3D distances of allthe contiguous markers placed at a given level) and cross-sectionalareas (by summing the areas of the triangles each formed by twocontiguous markers and the baricenter of all the markers positioned at agiven level). OEP allows the measurement of the volume of any parts ofthe trunk by defining closed surfaces with the same method that is usedfor the calculation of the chest wall volume. The geometrical models ofthe compartments that have been developed for OEP volume measurementsfollow the three-compartment model (i.e. RCp, RCa and AB) (Ferrigno G,Carnevali P, Aliverti A, Molteni F, Beulke G and Pedotti A.Three-dimensional Optical Analysis of Chest Wall Motion. J Appl Physiol77(3): 1224-1231, 1994; Cala S J, Kenyon C, Ferrigno G, Carnevali P,Aliverti A, Pedotti A, Macklem P T and Rochester D F. Chest wall andlung volume estimation by optical reflectance motion analysis. J ApplPhysiol 81(6): 2680-2689, 1996). The rib cage is separated from theabdomen by a line that follows the lower costal margin. The subdivisionof the rib cage into RCp and RCa is defined by the transverse section atthe level of the xiphoid (Kenyon C M, Cala S J, Yan S, Aliverti A, ScanoG, Duranti R, Pedotti A and Macklem P T. Rib Cage Mechanics during QuietBreathing and Exercise in Humans. J Appl Physiol 83(4): 1242-1255,1997). Precisely the surface that encloses RCp extends from theclavicles to a line extending transversely at the level of thexiphisternum, while RCa extends from this line to the lower costalmargin. AB extends caudally from the lower costal margin to the level ofthe anterior superior iliac crest (Cala S J, Kenyon C, Ferrigno G,Carnevali P, Aliverti A, Pedotti A, Macklem P T and Rochester D F. Chestwall and lung volume estimation by optical reflectance motion analysis.J Appl Physiol 81(6): 2680-2689, 1996).

A closed surface of the chest wall is identified by connecting thepoints to form a mesh of triangles. In the case of the seated andstanding positions the whole trunk is visible and the volume of thechest wall, internal to the closed surface, can be computed by means ofthe Gauss' theorem (Cala S J, Kenyon C, Ferrigno G, Carnevali P,Aliverti A, Pedotti A, Macklem P T and Rochester D F. Chest wall andlung volume estimation by optical reflectance motion analysis. J ApplPhysiol 81(6): 2680-2689, 1996)). When the subject lies in a positionwith his/her back supported, the posterior part of the trunk is definedby a reference plane defined by the co-ordinates of the markerspositioned laterally on the trunk. Aliverti A, R. Dellacà, P. Pelosi, D.Chiumello, L. Gattinoni and A. Pedotti. Compartmental analysis ofbreathing in the supine and prone positions by Opto-ElectronicPlethysmography. Ann Biomed Eng 29:60-70, 2001) (Aliverti et al., 2001)

FIGS. 9A-B show two stretchable respiratory measurement rings at thelevel of the rib cage and the abdomen at the torso/trunk useful formeasuring respiratory volume of user. A cross-sectional area of a ring(and the electrical resistance of the ring) changes as an individualbreathes. Such a change in resistance may be measured and used fordetermining a change in circumference. Such a change may be used fordetermining a respiratory volume for an individual. Such rings may bemade, for example, by a conductive media. One step in obtaining arespiratory volume from an individual may be calibrating the signalsobtained from the rib cage.

A flexible garment with a flexible trace may be configured to conformcontinuously to a user's body. FIG. 8C shows a flexible trace, such asthe one shown in FIGS. 8A-B, with a silver conductive core surrounded byan outer insulating layer. A core of a trace may contain any type ofconductive material and an outer layer may contain any type ofinsulating material as along as the resulting trace is able to carry(electrical) signals and/or power. A trace may be a flexible trace or aconformable trace (or both, or neither). Also described herein areconductive ink patterns having a high degree of stretchability that maybe used.

One aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacturing aflexible compressive garment comprising: placing a first insulatingfluid media onto a substrate, the fluid comprising an adhesive; placinga conductive material on the first insulating fluid media to therebycreate a conductive material electrical trace; solidifying the firstinsulating fluid media to create a first flexible insulator region andthereby generate a flexible transfer comprising a conductive materialelectrical trace wherein the transfer is configured to be removed intactfrom the substrate; removing the transfer from the substrate; placingthe transfer on a flexible compressive garment; attaching the transferto the flexible garment; electrically connecting the transfer to asensor on the flexible garment wherein the transfer is configured to beconnected with a sensor module. Other examples are provided in greaterdetail below.

A conductive trace may be made from a conductive media, for example,from one or more of a conductive liquid having high resistance, from aninsulating media embedding a layer of conductive material, or from aninsulating media embedding a conductive wire or a conductive cable. Useof such an insulating media may allow a conductive trace to be, forexample, more flexible. As described herein, a conductive ink trace may,in particular, be a conductive ink pattern that is formed from aninsulative adhesive and a conductive ink; this type of conductive inkpattern typically includes a gradient or intermediate region between theconducive ink and the adhesive and may have superior stretchabilityrelative to other types of conductive traces, including insulated wires.

In some embodiments, a conductive trace may be made from a conductivemedia with high resistance. Such a conductive media with high resistancemay be made mixture of a media and ultrafine conductive particles (suchas copper particles). Any concentration of particles may be used. Such aconductive trace may allow a conductivity (resistivity) of the order orhundreds of ohms/square. Such a conductive trace may have very goodextensibility and softness. Such a conductive media with high resistancemay be used, for example, for forming an EKG electrode such as in formof plates (such as less than 3 cm, 3-5 cm, or greater than 5 cmdiameter) printed in the inner part of a flexible (compression) top(shirt) in correspondence of the thorax for heart rate measurements.Such a conductive media with high resistance may be used for creating aspirals to go around the chest and the abdomen or in the linear zigzagpattern on the chest and the abdomen of a flexible top (shirt) toimplement a strain gauges printed on the outer or inner part of thecompression shirt to measure the variations of circumference ofchest/abdomen during breathing. Such a conductive media with highresistance may be used to create a linear strain gauge, such as oneprinted along a sleeve of a garment or a leg of a garment and configuredto measure the flexion of an arm or a leg. Such a conductive media withhigh resistance may be used to implement an electrode in the form of oneor more plates. (1-2 cm diameter) Such a plate may be placed in theinner part of a compression shirt. Such a plate may be made incorrespondence of the armholes and may be configured for performing skinconductance measurements. Such a plate may be less than 1 cm indiameter, from 1 cm to 2 cm in diameter, more than 2 cm to 3 cm indiameter, or more than 3 cm in diameter. Such a conductive media withhigh resistance may be used for implementing a touch points in form ofplates (e.g. apposed half circles of 3-5 cm diameter or comb-likepatterns) placed in multiple sites on the outer part of the compressionshirt. A good connection between a conductive media (ink) with highresistance and other electronics may be made by embedding a wire or acable having multiple wires between two layers of a conductive media(ink).

A conductive trace made from a conductive media may be made, for examplefrom an insulating media embedding a layer of conductive material.

FIGS. 10A-10B shows a method of manufacturing an insulating media byembedding a layer of a conductive material. Such a media may be madefrom (at least) three layers: a first layer 1001 may be made from aninsulating media (e.g., adhesive, insulating “ink”, etc.), a secondlayer 1003 may be made from a conductive media, which may compriseconductive particles or a mixture of insulating media and conductiveparticles (such as ultrafine copper particles at very highconcentration) and a third layer 1005 made from an insulating media(e.g., resin, adhesive, “ink”) which may comprise the same or adifferent media as the first layer 1001. These three layers may bedeposited during three consecutive phases during the printing process. Astate of any or all of the layers may be changed during themanufacturing. For example, any or all of the layers, such as the firstinsulating layer, the second conductive layer, or the third insulatinglayer (or any additional layers) may be made by solidifying a flexiblemedia, which may include solidifying an adhesive, a glue, a polymer,etc. Solidifying a media may generate a conformable transfer. The innerlayer may allow a conductivity of the order of 10³ ohms/square and maybe extensible. Such a media may be used to conduct electrical currentto/from a media-based (ink-based) sensor or electrodes (as describedabove) and/or to allow easy connections with ink-based sensors orelectrodes (as described above). A conductive trace made from aconductive media may be made by embedding a conductive wire or aconductive cable in an insulating media, as illustrated in FIG. 10B.

A conductive trace may be made by incorporating a conductive materialsuch into a polyimide material (e.g. Kapton® film from DuPont), whichmay be a thin, flexible material. Such conductive traces may beincorporated into a plurality of layers of conductive media (conductiveink). A Kapton® based conductive trace may be manufactured as a“transfer sheet” which may, for example, subsequently be printed onto ashirt to create an intelligent shirt. A Kapton®-based trace may bemanufactured by the steps of providing a substrate; depositing a firstset of conductive ink layers on the substrate; depositing a set ofpolyimide (Kapton®) traces onto the first set of conductive ink layers(e.g. manually, by means of a specifically designed template tofacilitate the process, etc.); depositing a series of conductive inklayers onto the polyimide layer (Kapton® (e.g. by serigraphy); anddepositing an adhesive material onto the conductive ink layers.Additional steps may include the steps of depositing one or more otherconductive media (conductive ink) onto the substrate, depositing one ormore sensors onto the substrate, depositing one or more other conductivemedia (conductive ink) onto a conductive ink layer, depositing one ormore sensors onto a conductive ink layer, depositing one or more otherconductive media (conductive ink) onto a polyimide (Kapton®) layer,and/or depositing one or more sensors onto a polyimide (Kapton®) layer.Such conductive media and/or sensor may be deposited in electricalcontact in the Kapton®-based conductive trace (but not as a layer in thetrace) or may be deposited as a part or layer within the Kapton®-basedconductive trace. Depositing such a conductive media (conductive ink) orsensor may provide the advantage of facilitating the process oftransferring onto the shirt a conductive media (conductive ink) bodysensor, a conductive media (conductive ink) interactive sensor (touchpoint), another conductive media (conductive ink) trace, a Kapton®-basedconductive trace, a part of a flexible Kapton®-pcb (printed circuitboards) that may hold another sensor (such as an accelerometer).Depositing such a conductive media (conductive ink) or sensor onto atrace and transferring the trace including such conductive media(conductive ink) or sensor may provide the advantage of allowing anelectrical signal, a power supply, and/or a ground signal to be broughtto/from a sensor, to/from a sensor amplifier, to/from a power supply,and/or to/from part of a conductive ink used as a sensor (e.g. parts ofconductive ink in contact with a user's skin and useful for detecting,for example, an ECG signal, an EMG signal, skin conductance, and/orconductive ink used as an interactive sensor (touch point). A trace maybe, for example, less than 0.03 mm, between 0.03 to 0.1 mm, between 0.1mm to 0.3 mm, between 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, or greater than 0.5 mm inthickness.

In some embodiments, a conductive wire (or thread) or a conductive cablemay be embedded in an insulating media (insulating ink) to form aconductive trace. Alternatively or additionally, a conductive thread maybe sewn onto the garment. An conductive trace including a wire maycomprise three parts (which will be described for simplicity as threelayers): a first layer 101 made, e.g., from an insulating ink, aconductive wire 1013 (or a cable comprising multiple conductive wires),and a second layer 1004 made from a second insulating ink (e.g.,adhesive, etc.). The second insulating ink may be the same or adifferent insulating ink as used in the first layer 1001. The steps ofthe printing process may include: depositing the first insulating layer1001 onto a print support 1009; positioning the conductive wire/cableonto the first layer; securing the conductive wire/cable on the printsupport; printing the second insulating layer 1004; and leaving (only)the terminal parts of the wire/cable 1013 outside of the insulating ink.Such a wire/cable allows for conductivity. Such a conductive trace maybe manufactured on a first surface 1009 and transferred to a secondsurface, such as an intelligent wear garment item. Such a transfer mayinclude generating a trace inside a seam, such as on an intelligent weargarment. Such a seam may be made, for example, by welding a tracebetween two layers of fabric, by bonding the fabric (such as with achemical or heat). In some embodiments, such a conductive trace may haveextensibility. In some embodiments, such a conductive trace may lackextensibility. Such a conductive trace may be used, for example, tobring a sensor condition and/or a power supply to a sensor or to anelectrode (e.g. accelerometers, temperature sensor, etc.) so that asensor and/or power supply may be placed in any location on the shirt(e.g. on the arms); or it may be used to bring an electrical signal(e.g., variable current or voltage) from a sensor or electrode (e.g. anaccelerometer, a temperature sensor, etc.) placed in any location on theshirt (e.g. on the arms) to the smart module.

FIG. 10C illustrates one variation of a conductive ink pattern (aconductive ink composite) that has a high degree of extensibility orstretchability. In this example, the conductive ink pattern is appliedon a substrate 1039 (which may be a fabric, including a compressionfabric forming a compression garment or a transfer substrate), andincludes a first layer of electrically insulative elastic adhesive 1021.An outer layer 1025 of conductive ink is separated from the adhesivelayer 1021 by an intermediate gradient region 1023 which is a mixture ofthe conductive ink and the adhesive wherein the concentration ofconductive ink decreases from a region closer to the layer of conductiveink 1025 to the layer of elastic adhesive 1025. This gradient region maybe referred to as an intermediate layer and may be have a nonhomogeneousmixture/distribution of the electrically conductive ink with theadhesive. An optional outer insulator (e.g., insulating resin, notshown) may also be included over the conductive ink layer. The outerconductive ink may be formed from multiple layers of conductive ink.

In some embodiments, an intelligent wear garment item may include aninteractive sensor system, including an interactive sensor (touchpoint). Such an interactive sensor may be any type that allows a user totrigger a response, such as by proximity, by a touch, or by a voicecommand. An interactive sensor may, for example, comprise, a resistivetouch point, a direct contact capacitive touch point, or a contactlesstouch points (through an outer garment). FIGS. 11A-B show touch points.A resistive touch point may be created, for example, by printing a plateof conductive media (ink), such as one which is formed by two apposednon-connected regions such as circles or in a comb-like pattern. By asimultaneous contact of the half-parts, the touch point (formed by thetwo apposed half parts) is closed to complete an electrical circuit isand a small electrical current is allowed to flow. Such a current may begenerated by a voltage generator (such as one internal to a smartmodule). Such a current may travel from (or to) a smart module to atouch point via as a connecting trace such as one formed by a conductiveink media as described above). A plurality of such touch points may beplaced in multiple sites on an intelligent wear garment item, such as onthe outer part of the compression shirt. A touch point may include anyshape and any size so long as a user is able to interact with it togenerate an interactive sensor signal. In some embodiments, an apposednon-connected region may be less than 1 cm, from 1 cm to less than 3 cm,from 3 cm to less than 5 cm, from 5 cm to less than 7 cm, or may begreater than 7 cm in a longest dimension (such as a diameter).

An interactive sensor may comprise a capacitive touch point. Such acapacitive touch points may be created in any way. FIG. 12A shows adirect capacitive touch point and FIG. 12B shows a capacitive touchpoint that may work by proximity (e.g. a signal that may be travelthrough an outer garment such as by a finger coming close to the touchpoint). A capacitive touch point may be created, for example, byprinting three layers of material: a first layer comprises a firstconductive ink; a second layer comprises an insulating ink; and a thirdlayer comprises a conductive ink, which ink may comprise the samecomposition or a different composition from the first conductive ink.The first layer may be connected through a conductive ink (such as aconductive material in an insulating ink) to an electrical groundsignal. The third layer comprises a ‘sensing’ region (or plate) fortouching. Between the first (receiver) layer and the third (transmitter)layer an electric field is formed. Most of the field is concentratedbetween these two layers. However, a fringe electric field extends fromthe transmitter, out of the receiver, and terminates back at thereceiver. The field strength at the receiver is measured by properelectronics. The electrical environment changes in response to astimulus, such as when a human hand/finger invades the fringe field anda portion of the electric field is shunted to ground instead ofterminating at the receiver. The resultant decrease in capacitance canbe detected by proper electronics.

A peripheral sensor (e.g. a sensor that is not part of the module suchas a body sensor or interactive sensor, which sensors may be, forexample an ink-based sensor or a traditional sensors, such as oneimplemented by an integrated circuit soldered on a rigid or flexibleprinted circuit board (PCBs)) may be connected to the smart module inany way. Such a connection may be, for example, made by a wire and/or acable. Such a wire and/or cable may be fixed on the garment in any way,such as, for example, by: a) insulating ink embedding a conductive wireor a conductive cable (see description above) or by b) embedding a wireand/or a cable into a welded seam or into a seamless weld (e.g. may besmooth without an obvious join or seam), etc. A method of making aseamless weld with a trace may include overlapping two fabric portions,such as a compression polyester fabric, inserting a trace (e.g. such asa wire or cable) between the overlap and welding the fabric to connectthe two fabric portions and thereby contain the trace inside the weld. Aweld may be performed in any way, such as using heat to join the twofabric portions.

FIGS. 13A-B show an external view (FIG. 13A) of the outside and aninternal view (FIG. 13B) of the inside of an embodiment of anintelligent wear shirt 202 with a plurality of body sensors, interactivesensors, connective traces and a collar useful for connecting andcommunicating between the front and back of the intelligent wear garmentor intelligent wear system. Shirt 202 is configured to measurerespiration using a two-part sensor system to measure both thoracicrespiration using thoracic respiratory sensor 204 and abdominalrespiration using abdominal respiratory sensor 206. The respiratorysensors may work such as described elsewhere in the disclosure or asknown in the art, and provide sensor data from either or from bothsensors to the sensor module. The data generated by the sensors may beintegrated (by the sensor manager) to generate the user's totalrespiratory volume. The respiratory sensors in FIG. 13A utilize commonrespiratory ground 208 (which may be any sort of trace, such as aconductive trace as described herein) which grounds abdominalrespiratory sensor 210 through abdominal respiratory sensor ground 214to common respiratory ground 208. Such a common ground may reduce theamount of conductive trace material required (and associated materialand manufacturing costs). As a conductive trace may be less extendibleor less flexible than the extendibility or flexibility of a conformablegarment, use of a common ground trace may also increase the garmentcomfort relative to having separate ground traces. Body signals fromthoracic respiratory sensor 204 and abdominal respiratory sensor 210travel, respectively, via thoracic respiratory sensor connector 212 andabdominal respiratory sensor connector 214 to the top of the shirt inwhich a connected trace on either side (which may be a Kapton® connectedtrace running under first interactive sensor external connector 216 andunder second interactive sensor external connector 218) carries thesignal into the collar, which in turn connects with the sensor module inthe back of the shirt. A shirt collar may be more stiff or rigidcompared with other shirt material and the shirt may still be verycomfortable. For example, shirt collars of street apparel are commonlyreinforced in order to render them stiff. A relatively stiff connectortrace or series of traces may run more or less circumferentially aroundthe shirt collar which may allow the connector traces to transfersignals from the front to the back of the shirt with minimal or nounwanted shirt stiffness or discomfort. For example, the traces may runthrough the collar rather than over the shoulder. FIGS. 13A-B also showthat a plurality of connector traces may be directed to a shirt collar.In the proximity of the collar, a Kapton® trace may be incorporated intothe terminal portion of each or a plurality of such traces (such as bythe method described above). The Kapton® traces from the terminalportion of the traces may be successively inserted into the collar andmay bring the signals (e.g. all the signals) to the back part of theshirt, where the terminals of the Kapton® traces may be connected to theintelligent communication system/intelligent sensor manager. The collarmay also output the traces to the more medial (middle) region of theback of the garment, which puts the traces in a direct vertical path tothe sensor module in the back of the shirt. FIGS. 13A-13B also showfirst and second interactive sensors useful for generating auser-generated signal (such as described elsewhere) such as by a touchor a proximity of a user's hand. Such an interactive sensor may have twolayers separated by an insulator. The insulator may be a materialspecial to the sensor or the insulator may be part of the shirt. FIG.13B shows first external interactive sensor 220 and second externalinteractive sensor 244 on the outside of the shirt and juxtaposed withfirst internal interactive sensor 240 and second internal interactivesensor 244 on the inside of shirt 202 respectively. The internal andexternal sensors are separated by a dielectric material (e.g. aninsulator), which in this case is the shirt material which hasdielectric properties. Such external and internal sensors may begenerated, for example, by separate transfers to the outside and insideof the shirt, respectively. The use of separate transfers to the insideand outside of the shirt may be made for any reason, such as to increaseease of manufacture, reduce material costs, increase flexibility (forexample, because the sensors will be thinner), etc. Sensors, such asrespiration sensors and interactive sensors, and their connectors maycomprise conductive media (conductive ink) for detecting a body signaland for transmitting the signal to the sensor module. A trace, such as aconnector trace (or a plurality of different connector traces) may runon a garment in a substantially vertical direction, but not in ahorizontal direction, to allow the garment to expand in a garmenthorizontal plane (e.g. “around” the garment's circumference), but mayreduce, inhibit, or prevent garment expansion (extension) in some or allgarment vertical planes (e.g. “up and down”). A trace, such as a sensortrace or a connector trace, may run in a horizontal garment plane or adiagonal garment plane in some instances, so that the trace does notsubstantially interfere with body movement. FIGS. 13A-B shows commonground 208 and thoracic respiratory sensor connector 206 and abdominalrespiratory sensor connector 212 travelling diagonally through theshoulder region of the garment. Such an area may require less garmentextendibility compared with another region. Alternatively, a diagonaltrace may comprise a substantially extendible material. For example, arespiratory sensor and a respiratory connector trace may besubstantially flexible and extendible. FIGS. 13A-B also show firstexternal interactive sensor 220 and second external interactive sensor244 on the outside of the shirt respectively connected with firstinteractive sensor external connector 216 and second interactive sensorexternal connector 218 (which may be Kapton® traces as described above).First interactive sensor external connector 216 and second interactivesensor external connector 218 are configured to carry the interactivesignals into the collar region, to the back of the collar region, and tothe sensor module on the back of the shirt. Similarly, first internalinteractive sensor 240 and second internal interactive sensor 244 on theinside of shirt 202 are respectively connected with first interactivesensor internal connector 260 and second interactive sensor externalconnector 262 (which may be Kapton® traces as described above) which areconfigured to carry the interactive sensor signals into the collarregion, to the back of the collar region, and to the sensor module onthe back of the shirt.

FIGS. 13A-B also show first accelerometer 228 and second accelerometer230 at or near either wrist of the intelligent wear user and carried,respectively by first accelerometer connector trace 231 and secondaccelerometer connector trace 229. Signal from such sensors that arerelatively distant from the sensor module may need to travel arelatively long distance. A longer signal travel distance may mean toomuch signal strength loss. In some embodiments, a connector may includea material configured to carry a signal a relatively further distancewithout losing too much signal strength. Such a material may be, forexample, a material with good dielectric quality and sufficientflexibility. For example, such a material may be a polyimide, such asKapton® (DuPont). Such a trace may travel along, for example a sleeveand may be anywhere along the sleeve, such as in or along a seam or awayfrom the seam. FIG. 13B also shows first heart sensor 220 and secondheart sensor 242 on the inside of shirt 202 that may be useful fordetermining heart rate, such as an electrocardiogram sensor (EKGsensor). Such a position enables the sensors to directly contact theskin to obtain readings, such as electrical readings, from the user'sbody. The sensors are connect with an EKG connector trace 242 to eachother (such as for the reasons described elsewhere herein) and to secondcollar internal connector 262 to send the signal to the collar and ontothe sensor manager on the back of the shirt.

FIGS. 14A-B shows embodiments of shirts with shirt collars configuredfor communicating between the fronts and backs of the shirts. FIG. 14Ashows a V-neck shirt 274 with a V-neck shirt collar while FIG. 14B showsa round-neck shirt 300 with a round-neck shirt collar. Such collarsinclude two layers, an outer layer and an inner layer. One or more thanone conductive trace may be placed (including adhered) between thelayers (or on either surface of either layer). Other shirts may have asingle layer with or without a trace on the external surface or theinternal surface. Other shirts may have a plurality of layers and atrace may be placed anywhere along a layer. V-neck shirt 274 includesV-neck shirt collar 276 with a V-neck shirt collar outer layer 278 and aV-neck shirt collar inner layer 280. The front portion includes holes oneither side of V-neck shirt collar 276. A first side (left side) of thecollar may include a first outer V-neck shirt collar hole 282 in theouter (or external) layer of the fabric and a first inner V-neck shirtcollar hole 284 in the inner (or internal) layer of the fabric. Asshown, first outer V-neck shirt collar hole 282 and the first innerV-neck collar hole 284 shirt collar hole 284 line up so as to create athrough-hole between the layers of fabric. The edges of such holes maybe partially bound (e.g. adhered, sewn, welded, etc.) together. A secondside (right side) of the collar also includes a second outer V-neckshirt collar hole 286 in the outer (or external) layer of the fabric anda second inner V-neck shirt collar hole 288 in the inner (or internal)layer of the fabric. In some embodiments, such holes may be offset fromone another and do not create a through-hole. In some embodiments, agarment may have only an outer hole or a garment may have only an innerhole. In some embodiments, a garment may have one, two, three, four, ormore than four holes in the outer layer, the inner layer, and/or anyintervening layers. Such holes may be useful as a conduit for extendinga trace from a surface of the garment to the internal portion of thecollar for conducting a signal, power, or anything else to/from thecollar. An external hole may be useful for extending an external trace,such as an abdominal respiratory trace 212, from an external front of ashirt into the collar, which trace may then extend to the sensor modulein the back of the shirt. An internal hole may be useful for extendingan internal trace, such as a heart rate trace 242 on an inside front ofa shirt into the collar. FIG. 14A also shows first rear V-neck shirtcollar hole 290 on an external surface of the first (left) side of theshirt collar and second rear V-neck skirt collar hole 292 on an externalsurface the second (right) side of the shirt collar at the back ofV-neck shirt collar 276. Such holes may be useful to extend a trace frominside the collar, down the back of the shirt, and to the sensor module.It is noted that sensor and power may travel in any direction (to/fromor from/to) in any such traces. As shown, the rear collar holes onlyextend through the external (outer) collar layer. In some embodiments, arear collar hole may be in any location and any relative configuration,as described above for the front collar holes. A trace running through acollar region may be any material. As the collar may be more rigidand/or less extensible than other portions of the garment, a trace maybe a relatively rigid trace that may, for example, be a better conductorand reduce signal or power loss. In some embodiments, a trace may be apolyimide material (e.g. Kapton). A trace (e.g. from a front of a shirt)may be connected with the collar region such as by a weld. Two piecesmay be soldered together. A hole may be any size and any shape usefulfor conducting a trace, such as round, oval, square, rectangular,hexagonal, irregular, etc. less than 1 cm in a longest dimension, from 1cm to 2 cm in a longest dimension, from 2 cm to 3 cm in a longestdimension, from 3 cm to 4 cm in a longest dimension, or may be more than4 cm. A garment may have 1 collar hole, 2 collar holes, 3 collar holes,4 collar holes, 5 collar holes, 6 collar holes, or more than 6 collarholes. FIG. 13B shows an embodiment of a round-neck shirt 300 with around-neck collar 302. As described above, round-neck shirt collar 302includes a round-neck shirt collar outer layer 304 and a round-neckshirt collar inner layer 306. The collar includes a first outerround-neck shirt collar hole 308 and a first inner round-neck shirtcollar hole 310 on a first (left) side of the collar and a second outerround-neck shirt collar hole 312 and a first inner round-neck shirtcollar hole 314 on a second (right) side of the collar. The shirt alsoincludes two outer holes on the rear of the collar, a first rearround-neck shirt collar hole 316 and a second rear round-neck collarhole 318. All such holes may have the same configuration, number, etc.as described above. The shirt also includes a rear round-neck shirtcollar seam; the V-neck shirt collar includes both front and rear seams.Garments and collars may have seams as appropriate, e.g. for function orfor aesthetics. A seam may be made for any reason, such for ease inmanufacturing (e.g. to hold two or more portions of fabrics together) orto provide a space (a conduit) for a conductive trace, a sensor module,etc.

FIGS. 15 A-D show different views of a wearable communication device 322that may be used with an intelligent wear garment and may connect with asensor module which may provide inputs (such as what music to play,etc.) to a user of the wearable communication device. Wearablecommunication device 322 includes base region 324, sensor moduleconnector 334, optionally sensor module 336, first collar arm 338 andsecond collar arm 340.

Example

FIGS. 16A-B show an intelligent wear shirt 364 on a model and worn overstreet clothing 366. The shirt includes a plurality of sensors,including respiration sensor 368 connected to the collar region byrespiration sensor connector 370, sensor 372, and sensor connector. FIG.16B shows data obtained from a respiratory sensor such as the one shownin FIG. 16A during use by an intelligent wear garment user. Thevariation of resistance (due to sensor elongation during breathing) isshown as a function of time. Samples were taken at 100 Hz. Each “1000”mark on the X axis represents one second.

The intelligent wear systems described herein may be used by groupsintelligent wear systems for various purposes.

Bio-competitions: An intelligent wear data system may be configured tocreate a rankings of users (e.g. such as worldwide) based on theirperformances. Such a ranking may categorized by activity. Each user maybe able to challenge other user based on specific activities or data,and gain scores that will position him/her higher in rankings such as inwhen victorious. Such a system may generate an engaging game-likeexperience and response.

As fingerprints can be matched through biometrics, users can search forrandom ‘competitors’ that exactly match their capabilities for a fairchallenge. Example 1: two break-dancers can compete on the number ofhead spins. Example 2: gymnasts can compete in the perfect execution ofa somersault. An intelligent wear data system application maysynchronize the competitors and measure their performancessimultaneously. Challengers may be physically far away one each otherand the intelligent wear data system may be configured to track theresults and elect a winner.

Bio-support to official games: An intelligent wear data system asdescribed herein may track biometrics and sensors used in differenttypes of competitions, such as the official games (e.g. the OlympicGames). An intelligent wear data system as described herein may be usedto approve, determine, and/or track the valid execution of acompetition. For example, an intelligent wear data system may be used tocheck or ensure that runners in a race start at the correct time (e.g.that they don't cheat at the start). In another example, an intelligentwear data system as described herein may indicate violations such as aplayer being offside in a soccer game, etc. An intelligent wear datasystem as described herein may monitor the physiological status of anathlete. Such a monitoring may comprise verifying that an athlete is notdoping, such as in a competition or game such as baseball, bicycling,football, etc. Such monitoring may be performed through a specificsensor, such as a drug detecting sensor. An intelligent wear data systemas described herein may be used for determining objective feedback in acompetition or game. For example, rather than evaluating a gymnast orother athlete through subjective votes based on a judge's personalinterpretation of an execution of an action, an intelligent wear systembiometric analysis may be used to provide or contribute to theevaluation, such as by providing objective and reliable feedback on aperformance, such as balance, body alignment, speed, etc.

Intelligent wear may allow a user to express themselves not only through‘verbal’ communication but also through ‘physical’ communication. Assuch, it may provide an instantaneous sharing of information and ‘facts’while a user ‘action’, and increasing the chances of communicating thetruth (such as a state of mind or state of body) about an individual(e.g. an intelligent wear user). As such, it may represent a thirdcommunication platform (after computers and mobile devices).Communication may be physical in various settings such as follows.Communication may be physical in an ‘orchestra-type’ direction: Suchcommunication may be similar to how musicians can be directed by anorchestra director through the director's physical movements: a groupintelligent wear garment items users may be ‘directed’ (e.g.‘conducted’) into performing a coordinated performance by an intelligentwear system (e.g. an intelligent wear system director). Such a‘direction’ may comprise communicating with each individual user such asthrough the module, the speakers, the headsets, the sensors and/oractivators in the users' apparel. In addition to conducting music, adirector may also conduct a dance, an expression (e.g. an interpretationor a response to an intelligent wear user's inputs), an athleticactivity or exhibition, a sports activity or exhibition, sport fans'support of their teams, manifestations, celebrations, etc.

A ‘director’ may be able to ‘conduct’ and create music through theusers' speakers and/or play, chant, and/or speak through them in acoordinated way similar to the way a ‘director’ directs an ‘orchestra’.A ‘director’ may also direct (or control) activators, such as haptic orother activators, in the shirts so as to guide the users into singing,chanting, dancing, moving (such as coordinating a movement such as a‘wave’ or other fans' expression in a stadium, or simply othergroups/crowd communal expression), performing athletics, etc. A user mayperform (sing, speak, dance, run, plays tennis, etc.) by responding totheir apparel activators' signals from the director. A director maydirect by communicating/giving a group of users instructions such asthrough a vocal instruction (e.g., through an apparel headsets orspeakers) or a haptic instructions (e.g., through touchfeedback/vibration through an activators in their intelligent garment).A user controls may control certain aspects of a system. A user maychoose to participate (or not participate) in an event by connecting ordisconnecting from the ‘director’. A user may control a volume of thespeakers. Such an ‘orchestra-type’ direction may be used at, forexample, a sporting event, a concert, an exhibition, a political event,a parade, a carnival, a flesh mob, a group celebration, a self-organizedevent, a rally, an inauguration, etc. Similar to a director, an eventorganizers may coordinate large groups (e.g. thousands, hundreds ofthousands) of intelligent wear users (though their apparel). Such agroup may participate in an event by (coordinate) singing, chanting,dancing, emitting light, social networking and/or performing otheractivities in unison. Such coordination of intelligent wear users(though their apparel) may be directed by, for example, an organizer ofa concerts, exhibition, political event, parade, carnival, etc. toprovide (or ensure that) expressions that are in line with the spirit ofthe event they have organized. Such coordination of intelligent wearusers (though their apparel) may be directed by, in a sports event, afans of one of the teams who may ‘direct’ a few, some (or a section/wingof), or all of the fans into a coordinated show support of the team.Such coordination of intelligent wear users (though their apparel) maysuch as in a group celebration, party, self-organized event, be directedby an organizer or by a plurality of participants, such on a rotationschedule, or by the ‘will of the group’ who may direct the participantsinto coordinated expressions, dances, singing, chants, movements,celebrations, screams, etc. The ‘will of the group’ refers to thesynthesis of what the group desires. Such a synthesis, for example, maybe determined by an intelligent garment system algorithm. Suchcoordination of intelligent wear users (though their apparel) at asports events, may include coordinating fans activities such as a)synchronizing speakers (so as to synchronize a chant, formation,shouting a player's name, booing a referee, etc.), or b) synchronizinghaptic vibration codes (1=waves, 2=chant, etc.) which may be adapted tolocal fans' cultural behavior. Such coordination of intelligent wearusers (though their apparel) at a sports events, may includecoordinating an event message such as synchronizing LED displays onfans' T-shirts to display a stadium message such as, “goooaaalll” or animage such as a flag. A flag image may be created by mapping the fansand using them as ‘human pixels’ in a ‘bleaches screens’.

Another aspect of the invention comprises generating a video outputbased on an intelligent wear garment user's movement. Such a videooutput may include a camera-less video production. Such a video outputmay comprise using an intelligent wear ‘shooting’ apparel item. A videobased on an intelligent wear user may be generated (produced) by thetransformation of body sensor signals (for example, biometric signals).Such body sensor signals may include any signals as described herein oras known in the art, such as measuring a vital sign, measuringpalpitations, measuring or inferring an emotional state, determiningbody movements (which may be determined very precisely), assayingsounds, sighs, and voice comments, etc. of the user. An audio and/orvisual images based on the body sensor signals may be generated. Such anaudio or visual image may be generated without a camera (e.g. without avideo camera) recording or shooting the action. Such biometricmeasurements (body sensor signals) may be taken by an intelligent wear‘video and audio-shooting’ garment through strategically positionedsensors measuring (and representing) biometrics of an intelligent wearuser ‘in action’. Such a garment may be a flexible, conformable garment,such as a flexible, conformable body suit, a leotard, socks, etc. Such agarment may have any of the capabilities, characteristics, elements,features, etc. as described for any intelligent wear garment herein oras known in the art. Any analog sensor data may be transformed intodigital data, such as by a module into the intelligent wear leotard orother garment. Such data may be used in any way to generate video and/oraudio output. A user may generate such an output. A user's biometricsignals may be communicated (e.g. in real-time to the cloud into theusers' intelligent wear page). Any such data may then be translated intoa video and audio output (for example, such as a stream) by transformingthe data into a representation (e.g. which may be an exactrepresentation or may be a stylized representation) of the user's looks(anatomy, features, etc.) and user's voice. Such a transforming may beperformed by ‘applying’ the user's real time movements to a pre-recorded‘avatar’ of the user. A user may choose a ‘look’ of the moment bychoosing/changing the clothing, hair style, skin complexion, etc. of theavatar). In one example, a flexible conformable garment useful forgenerating a video and/or audio output may include a compression shirtwith a (electrically connected) compression balaclava, a (electricallyconnected) compression leggings and (electrically connected) compressionsocks. Sensors that may be particularly useful include a plurality oftri-axial accelerometers (such as, a gyroscope and a magnetometer). Suchsensors may be placed, for example, at positions on (specific) synovial(diarthrosis) joints. Such joints may be particularly useful becausethey are the most common and most movable type of joint in the body of amammal. A ‘video and audio-shooting’ garment may have any type and anynumber of sensors. In a particular example, an ‘video andaudio-shooting’ garment has about 19 accelerometers: one of eachshoulders and hip (4), one on each knee and elbow (4), one each hand(extensor indices) (2), one on each foot (e.g. on the hallux) (2), oneon each ankle (2), one on each wrist (2), one on the neck (rear) (1),one on the chin (1) and one on the upper parietal bone (1). Such agarment may further have a heart-rate sensor, a microphone, arespiration sensor and a skin conductance sensor. Such a sensor may beconnected through a power trace to a module incorporated into thegarment (such as placed between the scapulae). Data and otherinformation may be managed by a sensor management system in the module.Such data and other information may be sent, e.g. by the intelligentwear module, to the cloud in real time.

Another aspect of the invention comprises determining a user's garmentfit by assaying an intelligent wear garment fit. Such a determining maybe used for determining a user's intelligent wear garment fit or fordetermining any other type of garment fit (e.g. length, shape, size,etc.). Such a determining may be performed, for example, by the user ormay be performed remotely. A user's body dimensions and shape may bedetermined from a plurality of body sensor signals from a plurality ofbody sensors on a flexible, conformable, intelligent wear garment itemfitted over a user. Such a garment may have, for example, a plurality ofrings (circles) configured to be placed around the limbs, the torso, thetrunk, the neck, and/or the head. Such a garment may have 1, from 2 to5, from 6 to 10, from 11 to 20, from 21 to 50, or more than 50 suchrings. In a particular example, an intelligent wear garment useful for afitting may have from 2 to 4 rings placed along each leg, from 2 to 4rings places along each leg, each forearm and each upper arm), from 4 to6 rings placed along the trunk and the torso, and 1 ring on the neck.Such intelligent wear fitting apparel may come in a plurality ofdifferent sizes and may be calibrated for different dimensions. A changein an amount of stretching of a ring may be used to determine a user'smeasurement. Such a user may use the information to choose a particulargarment size (or dimension, shape, etc.) or to custom-order a particulargarment size (or dimension or shape) to have a precise fitted, tailormade garment. Such a garment may be an intelligent wear garment or maybe another garment (e.g. non-intelligent wear garment).

An intelligent wear system may fulfill certain user's needs (orderingfood, supplying a beverage, supplying a nutritional supplement,supplying a vitamin, requesting/obtaining a service, providing healthand/or medical support, providing safety analysis and support, etc.) inreal time based on the intelligent wear user's true needs may beevaluated by intelligent wear system algorithms. Such algorithms mayinclude analyzing, assaying, and/or computing a user's biometricsmeasurements (e.g. of age, gender, ethnicity, physiology such as bodystructure, the strength and weakness of their skeleton, jointflexibility, bone and other articulations, organ health), psychologicalstate (mind set, emotional responses, neurologic profile, psychologicalprofile), athletic needs (e.g. a soccer player may need more potassiumthen does a skier), activity (running, climbing, skiing, etc.),spiritual elements (beliefs, religious or spiritual guidelines), needsresponsive to particular time (e.g. time of day), to weather, to aseasons, to a location and to users sensorial and economicalpreferences. A user may see a recommendation (e.g. of what they need)described and evaluated, such as on a personal intelligent wear web pageor communicated to them (e.g. though a module, phone, etc.). Such needsand recommendations may be assayed or determined by algorithmsconfigured to use user measurements and other parameters (such as thosedescribed above). Such an algorithm or an output from such an algorithm(e.g. a recommendation) may be analyzed by an analyst such as aprofessional (e.g. a doctor, a nutritionist, a coach, a trainers, etc.Such a professional may (or may not be) be chosen by the user.

The stretchable and conductive ink patterns described herein may beprinted onto garments, including in particular compression garments, toform sensors, conductive traces, and/or contacts. In general, any of theapparatuses described herein (e.g., garments, including but not limitedto shirts, pants, and the like) may be configured as garments fordetecting and monitoring physiological parameters, such as respiration,cardiac parameters, sleep, emotional state, and the like and may includeany of the conductive ink patterns described.

Any of the garments described herein may include a Sensor Manager System(SMS) placed directly onto the garment (e.g., shirt, shorts or in anyother component of the wearable device, i.e. balaclava, socks, gloves,etc.). The SMS may include an electronic board. Connections to the SMSmay be made by semi-rigid materials (e.g., Kapton) that may be includedas part of the garment.

An SMS that is integrated into the garment (as opposed to being providedby a separate device such as a smartphone) may provide numerousadvantages. For example, an integrated SMS can manage a larger number ofconnections with the different sensors, and may processes the signalsand communicates with the phone by means of a single mini-USB cable(e.g., independently of the number of signals processed). No matter thenumber of sensors that will be included in future devices (e.g., shirt,thighs, gloves, socks, balaclava, etc.), the connection between SMS andsensor module (e.g., phone) may always be based on a single 5-pin USBconnection, thus substantially reduce the size of the female and maleconnectors from the device to the phone module. In a typicalconfiguration, an SMS connects to a male connector through a UART(Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter) module and the maleconnector communicates to the mobile through another UART and anUART-to-USB module (see attached schematic and drawings).

An integrated SMS can be placed in different locations on the garment.For example, it may be placed at the base of the neck between shoulderblades, on the lumbar region on the thighs or even on the socks, gloves,balaclava, etc.

An SMS may also be configured to communicate with different phones forthe device. As mentioned, an integrated SMS may also allow you to havemore connections (pins) to connect to different sensors/outputs. Forexample, an accelerometer may need 5 pins if you have the SMS present ina sensor module (e.g., mobile phone); an SMS integrated into the shirtmay need fewer connectors, for example, such an SMS may need only 2pins. With more sensors, without an integrated SMS the number ofconnectors may become unfeasible.

In general, the SMS may be a module (chip) that manages the signals fromand to the sensors, and may act as an interface between thecommunication system (sensor module configured from a phone, etc.) andsensors. The SMS may manage the connection and interfaces between them.For example, and integrated SMS may include physical connections tosensors and may manage the way in which the signals are processed andsent between sensors and a sensor module and/or other analysis orcontrol components. The SMS may also include or may connect to amultiplexer to alternate readings between various sensors to which it isconnected.

In some variations, a SMS may provide proper power supply to passivesensors or active sensors. An SMS may take power from the mobile systemsthrough a port such as a USB port. An integrated SMS may communicatefrom one side to a sensor module (e.g., communications systems/phone,etc. configured as a sensor module) through a USB port. The SMS may actas an interface or a bridge between the sensors and the sensor module.

In addition, any of the integrated SMSs described may be configured toinclude on-board processing (e.g., preprocessing), including, but notlimited to: amplification, filtering, sampling (control of the samplingrate), and the like; typically basic pre-processing. An integrated SMSmay also encode signals from the one or more sensors. In some variationsthe SMS may include a microcontroller on board. Further, and integratedSMS may also generally manage communication protocols to/from any or allof the sensors, and may make an analog to digital conversion (if thesignals are analog) and may also communicate with a comm port of a USB,before going to the USB. For example, an SMS may be configured toconvert the signal into UART to the USB signal protocol.

In addition or alternatively, any of the integrated SMSs may beconfigured as a signal receiver/transmitter. For example, an SMSintegrated into the garment may be adapted to convert parallel signalsto serial signals (in the order of the data).

As mentioned, an integrated SMS may be placed in any position on agarment, e.g., on or near the neck region, or more peripherally.Although the SMSs describe herein are referred to as “integrated” SMSs,these SMSs may be included on or in the garment (e.g., in a pocket orenclosure, though in some variations it is not physicallyconnected/coupled to the fabric, but is instead placed on the garment.Thus, any of these SMSs may instead be referred to as dedicated orspecific SMSs rather than (or in addition to) integrated SMSs. Forexample, the SMS may be placed under the female connector (housed insidethe female connector), as part of the garment. When you wash the garmentthe SMS may get washed with the connector and the chip; the pins and SMSare waterproofed.

In some variations, the connectors (e.g., pins/ports) of the SMS areadapted to water resistant/water proof. For example, the pins used maymake connections that are waterproof, e.g., with connections that onlyopen when you engage the male pin, but are otherwise closed andwaterproofed.

In any of these integrated SMSs, the SMS is a part of the garment, andare worn with the garment; the SMS module may pre-process the signal(s)to prepare them for transfer.

Thus, in any of the garments described, an SMS (Sensor ManagementSystem) may be included that is positioned on each garment(onboard/dedicated), rather than separate from the garment, e.g., aspart of a separate sensor module, such as a general-purpose smartphonethat may be held in a pocket on the garment, as previously described.Each garment may have an SMS (chip/microchip) that allows the garment tohave connectors (female and male) with a numbers of pins(inputs/outputs) so that data from all the sensors in the garment(shirts, tights and accessories, such as gloves, socks, balaclava, etc.)may be first processed by the SMS and then sent through a connection(e.g., as few as 1 or 2 pins, or more) to the phone/communicationmodule. In general, some of the sensors and components of the garmentsdescribed herein may individually require multiple connections and thusa dedicated SMS may be very useful. For example, an IMU may require 5pins and as many as 20 IMUs (or more) may be included as part of agarment, in addition to other sensors. Thus, the use of a dedicated SMSmay allow the garment to manage a large number of dataconnections/contacts.

Sensors

In addition to the sensors described above, such as touch point sensors,respiration sensors, bioelectrical sensors, etc., additional sensors maybe included in any of the garments described herein. For example, agarment may include one or more skin conductance sensor. A sensor formeasuring skin conductance can be made by two annular rings of thestretchable, conductive ink (see below) placed at the level of the thirdphalange of whatever couple of fingers (thumb, index, middle, ring andlittle finger). In some variations, the sleeve of the shirts has at thewrist level an integrated extension for this purpose. The skinconductance, depending on the sweating level, is measured as the inverseof the electrical resistance between the two considered ‘electrodes’(annular rings).

Another integrated extension of the apparatuses described hereinincludes a full glove that, in addition or instead of a skin conductancesensor, incorporates a pulse-oximetry based on optical fibers. The useof optical fibers may also allow the incorporation other types ofsensors. In addition, a full or partial glove may include additionalsensors such as accelerometers, inertial measurement units (IMU), etc.Such glove-based sensors may allow applications in specific activities(e.g. playing a music instrument, type writing, etc.). A glove or pairof gloves may be configured to connect to other garments (e.g., shirts,etc.) or be formed as a sub-region of another garment (e.g., a shirtwith finger regions/gloves, etc.).

Similarly to the gloves described above are socks or balaclavaextensions, that incorporate other types of sensors, such asaccelerometers, inertial measurement units (IMUs), EEG electrodes, etc.This allows applications in specific sports (e.g. football) andactivities (e.g. playing chess).

Production Processes

In general, the production of any of the garments described herein mayinclude constructing the garment such as the sensors are held close andin stable contact with the skin. Thus, the sizing of the garment may bevery precise, particularly in the following areas: thorax (because ofdifferent sizes of pectorals and breasts despite same corporeal size),abdomen (also because of individual size variablity), armpits, forearms,etc. The garments may be therefore precisely fit/manufactured, inaddition to being made from compression materials. The manufacturing anddesign processes may also include garment cutting.

Any of the garments described herein may be printed by, e.g., printingand transferring of the conductive ink patterns and/or insulation. Theprinting may be performed by cylinder-type machines (because theprinting is more precise and faster) using a heat transfer technique.For example, transfer on both sides of the fabric may be performed at150° C. for 15 seconds.

Thereafter, insulation may be applied (e.g., when capacitive touchpoints are used, such points may be insulated). The internal regions(i.e., in contact with the skin) of electrodes of a capacitive touchpoint may be insulated by heat-welding a layer of high qualitypolyurethane film exactly reproducing the shape of the electrodes. Thesize of the insulation layer may be slightly larger than the size of theelectrode to allow a complete covering thus to avoid ‘lateral’contamination of biopotentials.

In variations in which higher conductive connections are used, theapparatus may include the addition of higher-conductive substrates andmaterials, such as Kapton and/or conductive threads. Thus, the formationprocess may then include the application of Kapton traces. Oncepositioned, Kapton may be secured to the fabric through high qualitypolyurethane tapes for heat-welded applications. In order to maximizecomfort of movement, the electronics on the Kapton may be designed tohave a single layer, thus minimizing its thickness.

The garment may then be sewed. The sewing may be performed bytraditional processes, although in some variations, sewing over ink ofKapton traces may be avoided.

At the same time or thereafter, soldering may be performed, e.g., toconnect the region including an additional (e.g., Kapton) substrate forhigher-conductive traces with printed conductive ink sensors, electrodesand/or traces. For example, soldering between ink traces and Kaptonterminals may be performed by using conductive epoxy, successivelycovered by a high quality polyurethane film.

Thereafter, in some variations a semi-rigid collar region may beattached, e.g., to secure and cover an integrated SMS module, Kaptontraces, and male connectors. A collar may be made of a polyurethanematerial that takes the shape of the user's shoulders and may be appliedby thermal welding through a transfer machine with plates custom-made tofit the body surface in the neck region.

In some variations, the method of forming the garments may also includethe addition of ‘stretching limiters’ made, e.g., of stripes ofpolyurethane material with limited elongation. They may be positioned bythermal welding in the inner part of the garment, in proximity of longink traces (e.g. respiration traces), in order to prevent overstretching(e.g. during wearing) that could either break a trace, or determinepermanent elongation, that must be avoided for functional and aestheticreasons. To enhance their strength, they may be positioned in a way torun between two seams.

In some variations the garment may be produced by installing astretch-limiter, such as a silicone cord. To avoid stretching of thegarment and its sensors when the user is wearing the garment and puttingthe garment on, a cord made of silicon may be applied (e.g., by thermalwelding) to the lower edge of the garment, running all around the edge.This may allow the wearer to easily pull the shirt down from the armpitsto the waist after the collar and the sleeves have been inserted,without overstretching the garment.

Materials

In general, the garments described herein may include a compressionfabric to secure that sensor are in good permanent contact with theskin. For example, the anterior part of the shirt may have a lowerpercentage of elastane (between 5 and 20%) than the rest of the body,which may include a higher percentage of elastane (between 15 and 40%).The fabric may be stretchable into two ways (one direction) and may bepositioned with the least stretchable side placed horizontally torespect human body which dynamically stretches more horizontally thanvertically.

As discussed in greater detail below, any of these garments may includea stretchable conductive ink pattern and/or a stretchable insulator(over/surrounding) the conductive ink pattern (e.g., trace, sensor,electrode). Both the conductive ink pattern and the insulator may bestretchable, up to some percentage, X % stretchable (e.g., up to 5%stretchable, up to 6% stretchable, up to 7% stretchable, up to 8%stretchable, up to 9% stretchable, up to 10% stretchable up to 11%stretchable, up to 12% stretchable, up to 13% stretchable, up to 14%stretchable, up to 15% stretchable, up to 16% stretchable, up to 17%stretchable, up to 18% stretchable, up to 19% stretchable, up to 20%stretchable, up to 21% stretchable, up to 22% stretchable, up to 23%stretchable, up to 24% stretchable, up to 25% stretchable, up to 30%stretchable, up to 35% stretchable, up to 40% stretchable, up to 45%stretchable, up to 50% stretchable, etc.). This may also be expressed asmore than X % stretchable (e.g., more than 5% stretchable, more than 6%stretchable, more than 7% stretchable, more than 8% stretchable, morethan 9% stretchable, more than 10% stretchable more than 11%stretchable, more than 12% stretchable, more than 13% stretchable, morethan 14% stretchable, more than 15% stretchable, more than 16%stretchable, more than 17% stretchable, more than 18% stretchable, morethan 19% stretchable, more than 20% stretchable, more than 21%stretchable, more than 22% stretchable, more than 23% stretchable, morethan 24% stretchable, more than 25% stretchable, more than 30%stretchable, more than 35% stretchable, more than 40% stretchable, morethan 45% stretchable, more than 50% stretchable, etc.). Stretchabletypically mean capable of being stretched (e.g., by applying a forcesuch as a pulling force) from a starting length/shape and returning toapproximately the starting length/shape. In some variations may meanadditionally or alternatively, resisting breaking when a deforming force(elongating or distorting from the original length/shape) is applied(and eventually released). Examples of stretchable conductive inks andcharacteristics of such inks are provided below.

As mentioned, any of the garments may also include a substrate attachedor formed as part of the garment for higher-conductive paths, such asKapton films and/or conductive threads (which may be included in apattern allowing stretching in one or more directions). Other flexible,wearable substrates may also be included. Any of the garments may alsoinclude one or more polyurethane films and tapes for sewn andheat-welded applications (e.g., high-quality polyurethane films andtapes). In addition any of the garments may also include an electricalinsulation material (e.g., polyimide materials, etc.) forcovering/insulating a conductive trace, forming a part of a sensor, orthe like.

A substrate such as Kapton may be fixed to on onto the garment. Forexample, the substrate may be sewn and/or attached by an adhesive, etc.The substrate may be held in a pocket or other region of the garment. Asmentioned above, any of the garments may include a limiter (e.g.,stretch limiter) of a second material (e.g., a cloth material that isless stretchable than a compression garment, etc.). Similarly, whenconductive threads are used, they may be sewn and/or adhesively appliedto the garment.

Any of these garments may also or additionally include silicone for sewnand heat-welded applications.

Stretchable Conductive Inks

A stretchable, conductive ink typically includes a percentage ofconductive material (e.g., around/approximately 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%,45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%), and a biocompatible binder (e.g., acrylicbinder that is formaldehyde-free), a thickener (e.g., polyurethanicthickener) and a humectant and/or solvent (e.g., propylene glycol). Thestretchable conductive inks as described herein generally meet a minimumconductance as well as a minimum stretching property.

In one example, a conductive ink used to form a stretchable conductiveink composite (along with an adhesive and intermediate/gradient region)may be formed of: 50% Carbon Black, 40% Acryilic Binder, be totallyformaldehyde-free, 5% propylene glycol, and 5% polyurethanic thickener.The conductive material (Carbon Black) may be particulate. Carbon Blackmay be preferred, particularly compared to other conductive materialssuch as silver or other metallic. In general, the conductive ink mayhave a composition including: between about 40-60% conductive particles,between about 30-50% binder; between about 3-7% solvent; and betweenabout 3-7% thickener.

The conductive ink patterns described herein are not only conductive,but also stretchable and therefore can work properly on compressiongarments. In addition, the stretchable conductive ink patternsappropriate for forming the garments described herein may beecologically appropriate (e.g., having a formaldehyde concentrationlower than 100 ppm), and resistant to washing (with preservation ofelectrical and elastic properties after multiple washes).

Experimental studies have confirmed that the stretchable conductive inkcomposites (patterns) described herein are stretchable. For example,FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate preliminary results of testing conducted on asample of conductive ink printed on a compression textile as describedabove. A video camera was used to demonstrate that no fracturesdeveloped in the ink during the extension (e.g., change in length of upto 13 mm was examined). The conductance (e.g., resistance) varied withapplied force between approximately 1.6 kohms to 2 kohms, while a linearstretch was observed up to 1.1 N (e.g., stretch up to approximately 13mm without breakage at approximately 1.1N). In general, the stretchableconductive inks described herein may be within a performance range ofbeing stretchable up to at least 1 N of force (e.g., up to at least 2 N,up to at least 3 N, up to at least 4 N, up to at least 5 N, up to atleast 6 N, etc.) and/or stretchable (without breaking) up to at least 5mm (e.g., up to at least 6 mm, up to at least 7 mm, up to at least 8 mm,up to at least 9 mm, up to at least 10 mm, up to at least 11 mm, etc.)and/or stretchable up to a ratio of applied stretching force (in N) toextension length (in mm), e.g., around about 1 N/mm without breaking.Surprisingly, in the experiment having results shown in FIG. 17, theconductive traces examined did not evidence any breakage up to almost 2N, which is a reasonable near-maximal force that may be applied whenapplying/wearing a garment. Neither macro (visible to the naked eye) normicro breakage was apparent.

In general, the resistance of the stretchable conducive ink may dependupon the size of the trace, including thickness, length, etc. (which mayvary under stretch) and may be lower than about 5 kohm (e.g., less thanabout 4 kohm, less than about 3 kohm, less than about 2 kohm, etc.) atrest and under a predetermined stretch force (or force/stretch length).In general, the resistance may be within a range of a few hundred ohmsto a few hundred kohms. In FIGS. 17 and 18, the tested stretchableconductive ink was printed on the compression garment fabric to a lengthof 60 mm and a width of about 10 mm; eight layers of ink were applied toform the final thickness (which was less than about 2 mm (e.g., approx.1 mm or less).

Any of the garments described herein may be used as part of a systemincluding multiple garments that connect (either or both directlyconnect or wirelessly connect). For example, and upper bodygarment/device may connect with lower body garment/device. Signals fromsensors positioned on garments on the lower part of the body (e.g.,shorts, thighs, socks, etc.) may be transmitted to an SMS on an uppergarment (e.g., shirt, etc.). A connection may be made through a supportsubstrate (e.g., Kapton) including traces that can connect through aconnector positioned in an internal portion of the upper garment (e.g.,the lower hem region of the upper garment).

Example 1: Garments that Detect Respiration

Garments may be adapted to detect respiration, and in particular,regional respiration. Such devices may be used at the request of amedical professional, or by anyone who wishes to monitor respiration. Arespiration-monitoring device may be adapted for the continuous andaccurate monitoring of respiration, including monitoring of respirationin one or more regions. A complete and accurate measurement of severalrespiratory parameters (described below) may be made using a pluralityof stretchable conductive ink traces (patterns) arranged in a wavypattern (e.g., a ‘zig-zag’ pattern, a sinusoidal pattern, sawtoothpattern, etc.) arranged in different regions of the garment so that theyare positioned about a wearer's torso. Regions including lengths ofstretchable conductive ink may include: the anterior (front) part of ashirt, the posterior (back) part of a shirt; each or either of the twolateral sides of a shirt, etc. Sub-regions within these regions may alsobe used (e.g., upper/lower, left/right, etc.). The stretchableconductive ink, as described above, may have a resistance that variesslightly with stretch; this property may be used to detect and/ormeasure body movement as the ink is stretched while worn on the body.

As described below, in some variations, four or more respiratory signalsmay be measured to determine localized respiration. For example, twelvesignal may be measured by grouping the variable resistances of thetraces (or an average of numerous traces) that are placed in thefollowing areas/regions: (1) anterior, upper right (e.g., 6 traces); (2)anterior, upper left (e.g., 6 traces); (3) anterior, lower right (e.g.,5 traces); (4) anterior, lower left (e.g., 5 traces); (5) posterior,upper right (e.g., 6 traces); (6) posterior, upper left (e.g., 6traces); (7) posterior, lower right (e.g., 5 traces); (8) posterior,lower left (e.g., 5 traces); (9) lateral, upper right (e.g., 3 traces);(10) lateral, lower right (e.g., 5 traces); (11) lateral, upper left(e.g., 3 traces); (12) lateral, lower left (e.g., 5 traces). All or asubset of these regions may be used. Based on the arrangement ofstretch-sensitive conductive traces, parameters may be extracted byanalysis of the different signals. For example, a measure of total tidalvolume may be determined by adding the signals from all of the traces ineach region (e.g., 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12). A measure of rib cagetidal volume may be determined by adding the signals from the upperregions (e.g., 1+2+5+6+9+11). A measure of abdominal tidal volume may bedetermined by adding the signals from the lower (abdominal) regions(e.g., 3+4+7+8+10+12). A measure of the rib cage respiratory region maybe determined by adding just the region associated with the right ribcage (e.g., 1+5+9); a measure of the left rib cage may be measured byadding just the regions associated with the left rib cage, (e.g.,2+6+11). A measure of the respiration in/at the right abdominal regionmay be determined by adding the signals from the right abdominal region(e.g., 3+7+10), and similarly a measure of the respiration in/at theleft abdominal region may be determined by adding the signals from theleft abdominal region (e.g., 4+8+12).

From the time course of the signals (e.g., the signal of the total tidalvolume), temporal parameters of breathing, such as respiratory frequency(f), inspiratory time (Ti), expiratory time (Te), and/or duty cycle[Ti/(Ti+Te)] can be determined, recorded, measured and/or displayed (ascan any of the signals detected on the garment).

For example, FIGS. 19A-19C illustrate one variation of a shirt fordetecting and/or monitoring, including continuous monitoring,respiration. In any of these examples, the apparatus, which may bereferred to interchangeably as a device or system, may be configure tocontinuously and accurately monitor respiration The garments shown inFIGS. 19A-21A are compression garments (shirts) typically composed byfour parts: (a1) 1903 anterior and lateral sides; (a2) 1905 posterior(back); (a3) 1907 right arm; (a4) 1909 left arm. These parts are sewntogether after deposition of conductive ink, conductive connector (e.g.,Kapton with conductive material) and layers of insulating material,e.g., by a transfer process.

In general, conductive ink traces may be used as sensor. In FIGS. 19Aand 19B, the sensor is a plurality of conductive ink traces that arestretchable traces. Conductive ink and adhesive is used to form theconductive traces 1919, as described herein. Any of these devices mayalso include a sensor manager unit. The sensor management unit 1921 maybe a processor that is placed on the garment (e.g., on the back) inconnection with an interface for connecting the sensors to theprocessor. The processor may be, for example, a smartphone or otherhandheld device. The apparatus may have a communication unit; thiscommunication unit may be separate or may be integrated with theprocessor (and/or may include its own dedicated processor). For example,a communication unit may also be placed on the back, and connect to theinterface.

Additional sensors may also be used, including motion sensors. Forexample, a tri-axes accelerometer (alone or, e.g., embedded in thecommunication system), may be included.

In general, any of these devices may include one or more wearer inputs,such as ‘touchpoint sensors’. For example, two capacitive touch points1933, 1935, placed on the arms, may be used. A touchpoint sensor mayinclude two electrodes (e.g., one on the inner, the other on the outer,surface of the garment in corresponding positions), made of conductiveink patterns, a separating layer of the textile between the twoconductive electrode patterns; and an insulating layer deposited ontothe internal conductive ink pattern layer. A connecting trace may beincluded between the external electrode and a terminal point placedclose to the neck.

Additional sensors may include one or more electrodes, such as anelectrode to detect hear rate. For example, two electrodes 1941, 1943for heart rate (HR) measurements, made of conductive ink patterns may beplaced on the inner surface of the right and left arms of the shirt.These electrodes may be connected by a conductive connector such as aconductive (Kapton) traces, or conductive thread, connecting the HRelectrodes to the terminal point close to the neck, as shown in FIGS.19A and 19C.

In general, the respiratory traces may be positioned in any region ofthe body of the shirt to detect movement (expansion/retraction) due torespiration in that portion of the body. A complete and accuratemeasurement of several respiratory parameters (see below) may beprovided for individual regions of the wearer's body by positioningstretchable conductive ink traces, ‘zig-zag’ shaped, (e.g., by transferprocess) in different regions of the body of the shirt. For example,conductive traces may be positioned on the anterior and the two lateralsides of the shirt, on the posterior part (back) of the shirt, and invarious sub-regions of these portions.

In FIGS. 19A-19C, eight signals are measured by the sensor manager unit(processor) as voltage variations determined measuring by the variableelectrical resistance of the traces placed in parallel in the followingareas:

1. Anterior+lateral, upper right (5 traces in parallel).

2. Anterior+lateral, upper left (5 traces in parallel).

3. Anterior+lateral, lower right (5 traces in parallel).

4. Anterior+lateral, lower left (5 traces in parallel).

5. Posterior, upper right (6 traces in parallel).

6. Posterior, upper left (6 traces in parallel).

7. Posterior, lower right (5 traces in parallel).

8. Posterior, lower left (5 traces in parallel).

The vertical traces shown are made of conductive ink, and constitute theterminals of the total electrical resistance in these 8 areas. Thesetraces are connected to terminal points positioned close to the neck (atthe interface region). A processor or other circuitry may be used todetect/monitor resistance. For example, in some variations a sensormanager (processor) may be used to obtain and/or store, transmit,analyze, process, etc. the 8 signals listed above. The processor mayalso incorporate and analyze, transmit, process and/or store additionalsignals, including the signals obtained by summing one or morecombination of single signals. For example, as mentioned above:

Total=1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8

Rib cage signal=1+2+5+6

Abdominal signal=3+4+7+8

Right rib cage signal=1+5

Left rib cage signal=2+6

Right abdomen signal=3+7

Left abdomen signal=4+8

From the time course of the signal of total signal, the followingtemporal parameters of breathing can be obtained: respiratory frequency(f), inspiratory time (Ti), expiratory time (Te), duty cycle[Ti/(Ti+Te)], etc.

As mentioned above, these signals may be stored, transmitted, analyzed,etc. by the processor and/or communications unit.

Example 2: Electrocardiogram (ECG) Measuring Garments

Also described herein are garments that may be used to effectively andcontinuously monitor electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. For example, agarment may be adapted to measure signals by including pairs ofredundant traces between which the apparatus (e.g., garment,control/sensing module, etc.) may switch. In some variations the SMSand/or a sensor module may determine which set of electrodes between theredundant multiple electrodes to use in detecting a particular lead foran ECG. FIGS. 20A-20B, 21A-21B, and 21C-21D illustrate garmentsconfigured to measure ECGs. Each of these garments includes redundantleads (two or more) where each of the redundant leads can detect asignal from an electrode that may be used to determine an ECG signal forthat lead.

The electrodes used to detect ECG signals may be formed of thestretchable conductive ink composites described herein. In somevariations, the electrodes are printed, applied or formed on one side ofthe garment (e.g., the inner surface) and adapted to be in continuouscontact with the subject's skin so as to measure ECG signals. Electrodesmay be connected via conductive traces (formed by, for example,stretchable conductive ink patterns and/or combinations of stretchableconductive ink patterns and higher-conductance traces such as conductivethread and/or printed Kapton, or just formed of a higher-conductancetrace such as a conductive thread and/or printed Kapton) to an SMSand/or sensor module. The SMS and/or sensor module may determine, e.g.,based on the quality of the signal, which of the redundant traces touse/present for the ECG signal.

For example, in FIG. 21A-21D, the electrodes 2103 are formed as a seriesof electrodes constituted by ink circles positioned in the standardpoints of the 12-lead EKG. On a garment (to be worn on the torso), theelectrodes may be placed so that when the garment is worn the redundant(pairs) of chest electrodes are positioned corresponding to the V1-V6positions:

TABLE 1 position of chest electrodes Electrode Placement V1 4thIntercostal space to the right of the sternum V2 4th Intercostal spaceto the left of the sternum V3 Midway between V2 and V4 V4 5thIntercostal space at the midclavicular line V5 Anterior axillary line atthe same level as V4 V6 Midaxillary line at the same level as V4 and V5

Similarly leads may be placed at other locations on the shirt to measurethe RL, RA, LL and LA leads (limb leads), corresponding to:

TABLE 2 Limb lead positions Electrode Placement RL Anywhere above theankle and below the torso RA Anywhere between the shoulder and the elbowLL Anywhere above the ankle and below the torso LA Anywhere between theshoulder and the elbow

FIGS. 21A-21B show the limb leads 2105, 2107 for the legs positioned atthe lower edge of the torso garment, which may be used even not wearinga separate pant. The limb leads in the garments shown in FIGS. 21A-21 Band 21C-21D do not include redundant electrodes, however they may.

In any of the ECG-sensing garments, the electrodes may be held againstthe body for consistent/constant measurement (even during motion) by thestructure of the garment, including by an additional harness region 2144(e.g., yolk region), as shown by the shaded region in FIGS. 21A and 21C.This harness may be formed as a region supporting the ECG chestelectrodes that is relatively more supportive (e.g., applyingpressure/force) to hold the chest electrodes on/against the body, evenduring respiration and other body movements. For example, the harnessregion may be formed as an elastic corset (e.g., width: 2 cm on thesternum, 4 cm on the xiphoid line) running along the sternal line, thenseparating on the right and left sides of the xiphoid line, then on theback, then converging on the spinal cord and running up to the neck,then again separating into right and left sides around the neck, tofinally converging on the sternal line. The material of the corset hasto be extremely extensible.

The electrodes, and/or the region peripheral to the (e.g., chest)electrodes may include a silicone surface that helps hold theelectrode(s) against the chest, and may also prevent the electrodes fromslipping. For example, silicone may be located in an inner surface ofthe shirt, corresponding to the harness/corset position, along thehorizontal line on both sides up to 5 cm beyond the midaxillary lines.This silicone may help ensure that the ink electrodes are fixed to thechosen position and do not move with patient's motion.

As mentioned, it is particularly helpful that the electrode includeadjacent redundant electrodes. All of the electrodes (including theredundant electrodes) may be connected to the SMS and/or control moduleto detect ECG signals and the SMS and/or control module may decide whichof the redundant signals to use (or in some variations to use theredundant signals to improve the overall signal quality, e.g., byselective filtering, averaging, or the like). In some variations thenon-selected redundant signal may be ignored; in other variations theapparatus may be configured to store it for later analysis. Both pairs(or more than 2) of electrodes may have signals that may be stored,transmitted and/or processed; decisions about which of the redundantelectrodes to use to generate an ECG may be made later.

Sleep Monitoring Garment

Also described are garments configured to be worn to monitor a subject'ssleep. Sleep monitoring may generally be used to measure sleep motion,respiration during sleep, body temperature (both core and regional), eyemotion, and the like. Such indicators may be used to determine the sleepstage, sleep quality, sleep duration, etc. Any of the garments describedherein may be adapted to determine sleep indicators and may therefore beworn while sleeping. Thus, these garments may be comfortable and adaptedfor use by a sleeping person.

FIGS. 22A-22C illustrate one variation of a garment that may be formedas described herein and may include a plurality of sensors fordetermining sleep parameters. For example, in FIG. 22A, the front of thegarment is shown, including a head cap/hood 2205 with sensors 2209arranged to determine EEG (scalp electrodes on the inner surface of thehood), facial/ocular EMG (to detect eye movement), a nasal thermistor(detecting respiration) and chin EMG (detecting jaw motion, etc.). Thehood may be integral with the shirt 2207 or it may be separatelyattached thereto. In any of the garments the various components (e.g.,shirt, hood, gloves, pants, etc.) may be optional; individual garmentsor groups of garments may be used. The shirt may be similar or identicalto the respiration and/or ECG sensing garments described above. In FIGS.22A and 22B, the torso region include regional respiration sensors 2225(stretchable conductive traces) for the anterior and lateral regions ofthe body, as well as EGC electrodes 2227 (though not all of the V1-V6lead electrodes are included). The garment may also include pantsincluding limb leads 2229 (for ECG detection) and/or EMG sensors 2219 todetect leg movement/twitch. Full or partial gloves 2231 may also beincluded and may measure blood oxygenation 2217 (e.g., pulseoxygenation) at the extremities (e.g., fingers).

The SMS and/or sensor module may be adapted to process and/or analyzethe sensor inputs and to provide a report on the sleep status (or statusover time) for the individual wearing the garment.

In general, these devices may be useful for a sleep lab or home sleeplab. They can record all of the signals usually included inpolysomnogrpahic analysis, including respiration, e.g., in a simplifiedway; only on the anterior and lateral part of the shirt; rib cage andabdominal part, 4 quadrants, may be needed to know when you haveparadoxical motion. It is helpful that you have both upper and lower,but may also help to have right/left as well. The use of ECG in theupper part of the torso with a simplified (e.g., 2 electrodes and thewrists and legs) configuration is also helpful. The garment's sensorsmay again include redundancy as discussed above to have the best andmost reliable ECG. In particular, heart rate is used, which may notrequire a full ECG. EMG recordings (electromyographic electrodes) may beformed of a stretchable conductive ink pattern and may be located indifferent positions. For example, on the chin, the lower (muscle 2213),which may be helpful for use in polysomnogrphic MG. In addition, ocularEMG 2211 may be helpful for detection of REM and other sleep stages. Asmentioned a themister 2215 (temperature sensor at the level of the nose)may be used to detect airflow through the nose, similar to what is donewith typical sleep lab sensors. IMUs 2223, 2233 (inertial measurementunits) may be used on the arms and legs to detect limb motion. Also, anIMU 2235 may be located on the back of the garment, which is useful fordetecting the patient's position (rolling over, supine, prone, on side,etc.), and may detect restlessness.

Wearable System for Detection of Emotion

Also described are garments configured to determine a wearer's emotionalstate. Self-reported emotional state tends to be inaccurate, subjective,and therefore limited in use. Garments that may include sensorsdetecting various parameters (both voluntary and involuntary parameters)may be used to determine a subject's objective emotional state.

A garment may include a plurality of sensors (as described below andillustrated in FIGS. 23A-23B illustrate a collar that may be included aspart of the garment and includes a plurality of sensors (any of whichmay be included or omitted) to detect parameters indicative of awearer's emotional state. Sensors may include, for example:environmental sensors (detecting environmental temperature, humidity,etc.), camera(s) for visual detection, including light levels/intensity,audio detectors (e.g., detecting user voice volume, tenor, etc.). Thecollar may also include any of the other sensors mentioned herein andincorporated by reference (motion sensors, position sensors,acceleration sensors, etc.). In addition, the collar may include one ormore outputs (haptic outputs) to provide output, including feedback, tothe wearer. Haptic outputs may include olfactory (scent emitting)outputs, tactile output (vibration, pinch, etc.), and the like. Thecollars described and shown in FIGS. 23A-23B may be configured as anemotion communication receiver (ECR).

Any of the garments for detecting/monitoring emotion may include an ECR.An ECR may sits around the neck. In FIGS. 23A-23B the ECR is a collarthat extends from the back, spreading above left and right trapeziuses,extending to the front lateral left and right sides of the neck withoutreconnecting on the front to facilitate the ‘sliding’ of the headthrough the collar of the ‘device’. The receptor in the ECR (collar) mayhouse a communications/analysis module (sensor module) and may includeconnectors (e.g., female and male connectors) as well as sensors, hapticactivators and mechanisms generating pressure, vibration,temperature-changes, tensing & relaxing inputs, olfactory-inputs, etc.The front side of the activator also houses smell and taste inducingactivators as well as environmental sensors to determine the quality ofthe environment.

The ECR may transduce received communication of physiologicalmeasurements into physically embodied messages. As an example, a friendmay send to the user (wearer) of the device her emotional state asmeasure by her device: the user's ECR may transduce the communicationinto a sensorial message such as a salute by applying pressure to hisshoulders. Users may exchange sensorial messages such as salute touchingthe shoulder, hug, push, caress, cheer up, relax, etc. and have theoption to respond, including: i) Ignore; ii) accept and salute back(with their own message); iii) reject (electrical discharge). Users canchoose how to receive the messages between a) pressure (wide), b)pressure (narrow-puncture), c) pressure-message (Morse-like), d)vibration, e) temperature change, or the like (including combinations).Users may also choose not accept the “emotional” valence messages topreserve her/his privacy and/or may provide a feedback to improve theaccuracy of the emotions-interpretation language.

Systems for Detection, Interpretation, Transduction, Communication, andPerception of Emotions (“DITCRE”)

For example, a garment (including the collars, shirts and the like)described herein may be configured as a DITCRE garment. The schematicdiagrams shown in FIGS. 24 and 25A-25E illustrate how the DITCRE may beimplemented in a garment, including a collar as shown in FIGS. 23A-23B.

The garments adapted to detect, deduce, and/or determine (derive)emotional state, and allow actions based on the derived emotional statemay be used to control feedback, which may be useful in training,meditation, or learning tasks, and it may also be useful incommunication with others. Thus the derived emotional state, which maybe derived generally from analysis of multiple sensors worn by the user,over time, may be used to provide output. Such communication maygenerally be more truthful and intimate, in part because theinterpretation of the emotional state is based on detected, rather thanexclusively self-reported, parameters, as well as the use of differentsensing modalities. A wearer may choose when and/or which emotionalstatus they would like to communicate, and particularly with whom theywish to communicate. Any of the garments may include an output oroutputs (e.g., haptic outputs) detected by the wearer, as describedabove. For example, haptic coding may be used to communicate evenwithout verbal/written communication. For example, the haptic coding maybe transmitted to/between wearers using a Morse-type code. In general,the haptic activators may be positioned in body regions/locations wheresensitivity and emotional response is greatest (empirically determinefor a specific user, or generally determined from a population ofusers), to optimize the location of the haptic activators.

Thus, the garments described herein may add an additional dimension whencommunicating, including in particular communicating between wearers.For example, body “language” may be interpreted by the sensor module andmay color output from the garment or communications from the garment.The garments may also be adapted to provide feedback, comments that mayhave therapeutic impact on the wearer, including identifying andtreating depression and the like.

In use, these garments may also provide interpretation of a subject'semotional as well as expressive output. For example, the garments mayaid in interpreting across cultures/languages. Just as there are spokenlanguages, non-overt communication (gestures, body language, etc.) mayalso provide cues that he apparatus can use and express as part of asubject's output or to be received by another user.

As mentioned above, in FIGS. 23A and 23B, the collar sits around theneck, extending from the back, above left and right trapeziuses, andextending to the front lateral left and right sides of the neck withoutnecessarily reconnecting on the front, to facilitate the ‘sliding’ ofthe head through the collar. The receptor may house a Sensors ManagementSystem (SMS), female and/or male connectors as well as: sensors (e.g.,EMG sensors over left & right trapezius as additional parameter toevaluate user's emotions, such as levels of stress or relaxation;olfactory sensors as additional parameter to evaluate user's emotions;environmental sensors to determine the quality of the surroundingenvironment, toxicity, etc.); haptic activators and mechanismsgenerating pressure, vibration, temperature-changes, and the like. Thesesensors may communicate a user's or other user's emotions, may conveyrelaxing and tensing inputs as ‘massages’, or relaxing therapy to theuser.

In some variations the garment also includes one or more olfactoryactivators (e.g., scent & odor reproducing activators) and tasteactivators placed on the front left and front right side of the ECR asan additional means to communicate user's or other users' emotionalstates; one or more camera (e.g., placed on the right- or left-frontside of the ECR) which may be adapted to determine facial expressions asan additional parameter to evaluate other people emotions, and/orevaluate environment. The collar may also include speakers to sharemusic and messages with surrounding people.

An ECR may be connected and can be activated and managed through theTouch Points previously descried (intentional touch regions on thegarment). An ECR may receive input from the Sensor Management System,including evaluations of the user state translated into two or moreemotional valences or states (e.g., 8 emotional states). The number andthe classification of such states may vary in the future). Examples ofemotional valences may include: acceptance, anger, anticipation,disgust, joy, fear, sadness and surprise. Emotional valences may becommunicated back to the user and/or to third parties (as controlled bythe user). Emotional valences may help a user to better understand theirown emotions and may help communicate their emotions in a commonlyshared classification to their friends.

The ECR may generally help transduce physiological measurements (e.g.,ECG, Skin Conductance, EMG, respiration, etc.) and ‘evaluations’ (e.g.,facial expression, posture, gesticulations, motor behaviors, voicetones, eyes-sleepiness or alertness, movements, actions, etc.) intointelligibly qualified emotions. The EMG may also help communicate thoseemotions through voice, physically embodied messages or visual displays.As an example, a friend may send her emotional state as measured by hergarment: the user's may transduce the communication into a sensorialmessage (such as a salute, by applying pressure to his shoulders; ascent or a taste emitted a haptic describing her emotional state, acolor describing her emotional state, or an audio or visual descriptionof her emotional state. Users may exchange sensorial messages such assalute touching the shoulder, hug, push, caress, cheer up, relax, etc.and may have the option to respond. For example, a user may ignore,accept and salute back (with their own messages), and/or reject(electrical discharge). A user may also choose how to receive themessages between a) pressure (wide), b) pressure (narrow-puncture), c)pressure-message (Morse-like), d) vibration, e) temperature change, f)audio description, g) visual description, etc. A user may control thecommunication exchange and can choose not to accept the emotionalmessages to preserve her/his privacy. This communication modality(including the use of the haptics) recognizes that other, not limited toaural or visual (spoken/written) modalities such as touch may be moreeffective (or differently effective) when communicating emotionalcontent/context. Thus, any of the garments described may transduce auser's physiological measurements into intelligible communication,including communication of the user's emotional valence. A user maychoose the format (e.g., different forms of touch, audio, graphs,drawings, numbers, etc.) of communication data. For example, thegarments may allow a user to transduce the users' physiologicalmeasurements (emotional valence) into voice, physically embodiedmessages or visual displays (display or touch screen on forearms, onglasses or on smartphone) to other users. Further, the garments, andparticularly those with ECR may allow a user to improve the accuracy ofthe emotions-interpretation language by enabling them to providefeedback on data evaluation, representation and communication.

An ECR system may also act as a self-improving system (much likevoice-recognition most advanced systems): the more users will expressand communicate their emotions the more accurate emotions qualification,description and communication will be. In addition, the user mayactivate and interact with the system through touch points on thegarment.

ECR may be used in a variety of contexts. For example, ECR may be usedas a lie detector. Typically, lie detectors detect changes in bodyfunctions that are not easily controlled by the conscious mind and mayinclude bodily reactions like skin conductivity and heart rate; theyalso may consider respiration rate, blood pressure, capillary dilation,and muscular movement. These measures may indicate a short-term stressresponse which can be from lying or significance to the subject.Problems arise because they are also associated with mental effort, andemotional state; so they can be influenced by fear, anger, and surprisefor example. The EDR systems described herein, which may be used forlong-term monitoring and training/conditioning of a user, may be betterat distinguishing such responses from artifact responses.

ECR may also be used for safety evaluation, such as environmentalsafety, examining air (level of pollution, toxicity, etc.), water (nodrinking, no swimming, etc.), soil; examining locations, e.g., searchingrisk in surrounding areas, such as crime reports in the area,avalanches, flooding, trees falling, toxic area; indicating functionsbased on time of the day, time of the year, etc., such as recurringevents like parades, etc. The ECR may also monitor user behavior andprovide data/feedback on such behaviors (e.g., eating, drinking,substance abuse, etc.). A garment with ECR may also assist and/orprovide feedback on traveling, such as driving (driver behavior,driver's track record, surrounding traffic, type of road, weatherconditions), flying, sailing, or otherwise operating machinery/vehicles.

Finally, a garment with or without ECR may be helpful for safetyactions: a) emergency calls: 911, doctor, GPS tracking, family membermonitoring/tracking, coaching; b) provide relevant information: type ofdanger, location, user's physiological data, user's medical and relevantdata, user's emotional data, health insurance, financial profile, andthe like. The garment (with our without ECR) may also be moreinteractive, providing suggestions on health, including activity level,eating, and the like, or on emotional wellness.

As described in FIGS. 25A-25E, the ECR may perform measurements andevaluations based on one or more of: physiologic (measured throughsensors) information, gestures (e.g., IMUs and accelerometers onwrists), posture (e.g., IMUs on module, each shoulder, mid spine, lowerspine), motor behavior (e.g., IMUs on each ankle and each wrist), speechevaluation (e.g., recording voice), facial Expressions (e.g., sensors onears, forehead and neck for self, video camera for other persons),scents or odors (e.g., chemical sensors), EMG, and/or EEG sensors,and/or evaluation of the environment (e.g., temperature sensors,pollution sensors, etc.).

For example, FIG. 24 outlines a pair of users that may interact, eachwith a garment adapted for detection, interpretation, transduction,communication, and perception of emotions. Each of these areas (labeledA-D) are described in greater detail in FIGS. 25A (detectors, includingsensing devices), 25B (interpretation of the sensor data to determine anemotional valence), 25C (actuators and communication, including outputof valence information from the user or another person using a similardevice), and 25D (feedback).

Such apparatuses may find use with the general population, includingpeople interested in monitoring their well-being status during theirdaily regular activities (walking, eating, working, seating in front oftheir computer . . . ), and also for athletes who want to monitor theirfitness level during their training or specific sports. Participants(users) may be required to register and fill a list similar to the onefilled in hospitals or by professional athletes: the more questions theparticipant responds the more accurate their evaluation will be.

FIG. 25E illustrates one method in which an emotional valence may bedetermine for a particular user, based on the inputs of various sensors,and may also include feedback specific to a particular user. Inaddition, FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate graphically how an ECR may operateto determine from the subject their actual emotional valence or anoverall estimate of “well-being” (FIG. 26). Similarly, the sensors maybe used to provide the user an indicator of overall fitness (FIG. 27).These charts may provide an evaluation that can be presentedgraphically, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, providing a snapshot of thewellbeing of a person or the fitness level of an athlete. The evaluationmay be based on a number of parameters (e.g., that can vary in number,such as from 8 to 20 or more depending on the number of sensors in agiven device). Each graph may provide: (1) a value that synthesizes thewell-being or the fitness level of the user based on an adjustedsynthesis of all the parameters; (2) a value that synthesizes thewell-being of the fitness level of the entire population (given inabsolute number and % of the number) so that the users will immediatelyknow if she is above or below average. This value increases in accuracywith the number of users; (3) the value may be adjusted to the personspecific needs. For example, since 30% of people above 65 fall and getinjured for lack of equilibrium, a 70 year old person's equilibrium maybe given a higher relevance then for a 40 year old person. Similarly, aself-identified weight lifter's strength may be given a higher relevancethen for a tennis players, or endurance a higher relevance for a supertriathlon athlete then for a slalom skier. A user can thus use this sortof graphical output to see her value and the total population value foreach one of the parameters. A user can further go into the details foreach parameter. For example, the efficiency score, compared to thepopulation's efficiency score; how efficiency is calculated; thebiometrics involved into the calculation; the accuracy of thecalculation considered the state of the technology on hand; the medicalaccuracy, etc.

A user who chooses to improve a given parameter (say equilibrium for a70 year old) may be given a list of exercises to do it (jump rope, oneleg stand, etc.). A haptic feed-back may be used to tell the user whenher equilibrium is below or above average, and/or an improvementindication, and/or a session's performance versus best personalperformance.

The many sensors and haptic actuators in an apparatus maybe adapted toallow a user to communicate (e.g., through audio, haptic or visualmessages) to other users while they are exercising in order to maximizetheir efficiency, improve their execution. For example: a) communicateif athlete is not wormed up when starting exercising; b) if temperatureis too cold when finishing the exercise; c) if the posture or bodyposition is not appropriate when performing the exercise; d) if the userhis overloading his muscles; e) if the athlete is not pushing enoughduring the training session.

Stretchable Conductive Ink Patterns

Any of the apparatuses described herein may include a stretchableconductive ink pattern. In general, the stretchable conducive ink mayhave a stretchability ranging from 5% to 200%, e.g., it may be stretchedmore than 2 times (200%) of its at rest length without breaking. In someexamples the stretchable conductive in can be stretched to more than 3time (300%), more than 4 time (400%), or more than 5 time (500%) of itsneutral, at rest length. The stretchable conductive ink patterns areconductive, having a low resistivity. For example, the bulk resistivitymay be between 0.2 and 20 ohms*cm (and the sheet resistivity betweenabout 100 to 10,000 ohms per square). The conductivity may be dependentupon the stretch, although it may stay within the ranges described above(e.g., between 0.2 and 20 ohms*cm).

Structurally, any of the stretchable conductive ink patterns describedherein are typically made from a specified combination of an insulativeadhesive and a conductive ink. In general, a stretchable conductive inkpattern includes a first (or base) layer of insulative and elasticadhesive and a layer of conductive ink, where the conductive inkincludes between about 40% and about 60% of conductive particles (e.g.,carbon black, graphene, graphite, silver metal powder, copper metalpowder, or iron metal powder, etc.), and a gradient region or zonebetween the insulative, elastic adhesive and the layer of conductiveink. The gradient region is a combination of the conductive ink (e.g.,conductive particles of the conductive ink) and the adhesive, in whichthe concentration of the ink (e.g., conductive particles) may vary withdepth. In general, the gradient region may be a mixture of theconductive ink (e.g., conductive particles) and the adhesive wherein theconcentration of conductive ink in the gradient region may be less thanthe concentration of the conductive ink in the conductive ink layer. Thegradient region may be a continuous gradient of conductive ink(particles), e.g., it may be nonhomogeneous, or it may be a stepgradient.

Typical conductive inks, such as those used for printed circuits andeven flexible circuits, are not sufficiently stretchable to be used forgarments, including in particular not for compression garments and maybreak or form discontinuities when used. Surprisingly, the combinationof conductive ink, gradient region and insulative adhesive provides aconductive ink composite that is both conductive and highlystretchable/extensible. The composition of the conductive ink that maybe used in as described herein generally includes: between about 40-60%conductive particles, between about 30-50% binder; between about 3-7%solvent; and between about 3-7% thickener. Further, the use of anintermediate, “gradient” region between the insulating adhesive and theconductive ink layer(s) has also been found to be important.

The conductive ink used and combined with the adhesive to form theconductive ink pattern typically has a low toxicity andhypo-allergenicity (e.g., a formaldehyde concentration lower than 100ppm), and a resistance to damage from washing, including preservation ofelectrical and elastic properties following repeated washing cycles.

For example, FIGS. 28A and 28B show electron micrographs (scanningelectron micrograph, SEM) of a sample of a conductive ink pattern placedbetween two supports of aluminum. In FIG. 28A, the lowest layer 2805 isthe adhesive, the layer adjacent and above that is the gradient region2803, and the layer adjacent to and above that is the conductive ink2801. In this example an additional insulative layer (resin 2811) isplaced on top of the conductive ink. In general, the conductive ink maybe formed of multiple layers of applied conductive ink. In FIG. 28A theconductive ink layer was formed by sequential application of 5 layers;these layers are not visible in the micrograph.

In FIG. 28B, an electron micrograph was used to quantify the thicknessof the layer. In this example, the conductive ink layer 2801 (region)has a thickness of about 50 μm, the gradient (transition) zone 2803 hasa thickness of between about 40-80 μm, and the glue 2805 has a thicknessof about 150 μm.

The gradient region may be functioning both to enhance thestretchability of the conductive ink, as well as enhancing the stabilityof the conductivity. Electrical conductivity is allowed by the upperregion, while the high degree of mechanical stretching allowed (due tothe adhesive) is enhanced by the lower layers. The incomplete mixing ofthe conducive ink and the adhesive found in the gradient region appearsto result in a structure and composition that can be repeatedlystretched and released, while retaining the conductivity. Note that theresistivity of the composite may change with stretch (generallyincreasing resistivity with stretch), and this property may be used todetect stretch.

In general, the gradient region may be formed by combining theconductive ink and the adhesive before either one is completely dried,allowing them to combine to form the transition zone having theappropriate thickness. The composition of the ink (e.g., between about40-60% conductive particles, between about 30-50% binder; between about3-7% solvent; and between about 3-7% thickener) may determine theformation parameters of this overlapping (gradient) region. FIG. 29A-29Dshows an example of the compositional distribution of an example of astretchable conductive ink pattern (composite). In FIG. 29A, carbon isshown, and is ubiquitous throughout the layers, as expected for organicmaterials. In FIG. 29C, the distribution of silicon is concentrated onthe surfaces of the substrate (a plastic substrate onto which theconductive ink pattern is made), and diffuse in the conductive inkpattern. Similarly in FIG. 29D the oxygen is diffused everywhere. Incontrast, as shown in FIG. 29B, sulfur is concentrated in the ink butnot the glue. The gradient of sulfur therefore indicates a gradualtransition from the ink to the glue in the area morphologically similarto the glue. This region is the gradient zone or region, wherenon-homogenous mixing has occurred.

In FIGS. 28A-28B and 29A-29C, the stretchable conductive ink pattern isformed on a substrate of polyester paper onto which the ink and adhesiveare printed (along with an outer insulating resin). This pattern maythen be applied to the garment so that it sticks to the garment and thesubstrate (paper) can be peeled off that that the ink remains. Theadhesive is highly elastic, and allows stretching. The conductive ink,alone, may be somewhat stretchable, but is not nearly as stretchable asthe adhesive, perhaps because of the rigid metallic particles. Theintermediate region (where the adhesive and the conductive ink areoverlapping) is important. Complete mixing in this zone would homogenizethis region, and likely reduce the conductivity (as the adhesive isinsulative); the partial mixing may preserve the stretchability whilepreserving conductivity.

An outer protective layer that insulates the conductive ink may beincluded when desired, e.g., when forming conductive traces, orpatterning a sensor or electrode, though it may be left off contractregions of an electrode, for example. The resin (“primer”) may be one ormore layers of insulating material that does not link with or mix withthe conductive ink. For example, the resin material may be insulatingand may also help protect from detergents and fluids (water) used forwashing, as well as protecting from scratching, etc. In some variationsthe resin is an acrylate (e.g., acrylic resin). Aldehyde or acrylic(synthetic resins) may also be used. Any of the components (e.g.,conductive ink, adhesive, and resin) may be applied by printing. Forexample, FIG. 30 illustrates one example of method used to print thestretchable conductive ink pattern onto a substrate. In FIG. 30, a firstmask (“screen”) 3001 is used to form the pattern of adhesive(electrically insulative glue) to be applied to the substrate, beneaththe screen 3001 (not visible). For example, when applying directly ontoa fabric, the adhesive may be applied in a screening process by pullingthe ‘wet’ adhesive 3005 across the screen so that it forms the patternshown. Multiple applications of adhesive may be applied, or thethickness may otherwise be adjusted (e.g., by the application force,viscosity and/or screen opening size). Thereafter a second screen (orthe same screen) may be used to apply the pattern of electricallyconductive ink. Multiple applications of conductive ink may be appliedto achieve the desired thickness (typically less than the thickness ofthe adhesive. The second screen may have openings that are slightlysmaller than the pattern used for the adhesive, or they may be the samesize (or in some variations, larger). The adhesive and the conductiveink may be co-extensive. When applying to a transfer substrate the ordermay be reversed, so that the conductive ink is applied to the substratebefore the adhesive. As mentioned an insulating resin (e.g., protectivelayer) may be applied adjacent to the conductive ink layer.

As mentioned above, the conductive ink patterns described herein may beany appropriate pattern, including traces (e.g., connecting variouselements on the garment), sensors (e.g., touch point sensors,stretch/respiration sensors) or electrodes (EEG sensors, ECG sensors,EMG sensors, etc.). When used as a connector it may be combined withadditional conductive connector elements, including, but not limited toconductive threads, conductive traces formed on a substrate such asKapton, etc. Such combinations of conductive ink patterns and additionalhighly conductive materials may be particularly useful over longerlengths. In some variations the stretchable conductive ink material maybe used as a trace or connector in regions where the garment will bestretched a lot.

For example, FIGS. 31A-31C show example of conductive threads that arestitched onto a fabric forming a garment that may be used to connect anelectrode, sensor or trace formed of a stretchable conductive inkpattern (having an adhesive, gradient region and conductive ink) to apower supply and/or sensing module.

For example in FIGS. 1A, 4, 6A-6C, 13A-13B, 19A and 20A, the touchpointsand the traces connecting them to a sensor module (sensor manager) maybe formed of a stretchable conducive ink composite including a layer ofadhesive, an intermediate gradient region and a layer of conductive ink;the trace portion may be insulated, e.g., using a protective resin. Theelectrode forming the touchpoint portion may be relatively large withthe connecting trace being smaller. The trace only needs to extend ashort distance. Touchpoint sensors are also somewhat insensitive tostretch of the garment/trace that might change the resistivity of thetrace, because the signal from the sensor is a binary signal—e.g., touchor no touch. Similarly, a stretchable conductive ink trace (compositeformed into a trace) may be used to connect to EKG electrodes. Typicallya conductive ink pattern used as a trace may extend up to 30 cm or less(e.g., 25 cm or less, etc.), although longer traces may be used. Thus,for example, a conductive trace formed of a stretchable conductive inkpattern may be as long as or longer than 25 cm, with a width between 2mm and up to 10 mm (an average of between about 0.6 to 0.5 mm). Thelength could be extended while remaining within a targetconductivity/resistivity by increasing the thickness of the conductiveink pattern. In some variations it may be desirable to keep the lengthshort. Respiratory sensors may be substantially longer, however, and mayup to 22 mm wide, for example.

In some variations it may be useful to use conductive threads or otherhigh-conductivity connectors, such as those shown in FIG. 31A-31C. Inthis example, the conductive thread is stitched onto the garment in awavy (e.g., zig-zag, sigmoidal, etc.) pattern that allows somestretching in the net direction of the stitching. As described above,respiration (sensors) traces may be formed of stretchable conductive inkpatterns to take advantage of the change in conductivity with the changein resistivity with stretching of the conductive ink pattern. In thisexample, the sewn pattern of threads includes an approximately 35-40degree zig-zag pattern allowed the stitch to elongate slightly with thefabric. In some example, the conductive thread is a metallic conductivethread. The angle formed at each turning point (in the wavy pattern) andthe width of the pattern may depend upon the textile used. In general,the higher the stretchability of the textile, the smaller the angle. Thenumber of threads may vary; in general, any number of threads may beused depending, for example, on the number of sensors and their pinsthat need to be connected. The threads are typically sewn directly onthe garment. The electrical insulation of the thread may be obtained byan external coating on the thread (e.g. silicone, polyester, cotton,etc.) and/or by a layer of insulating adhesive, as described above. Thethread connectors may also be used as part of a transfer as describedabove. For example, a conductive thread may be sewn on a band made onthe same fabric of the garment and then transferred by a thermal processto the garment, e.g., using a layer of adhesive.

One or more conductive threads may be applied directly to a fabric (suchas a compression garment) or to a transfer (e.g., patch of fabric orother material that is then attached to the garment). Conductive threadsmay be insulated (e.g., enameled) before being sewn. In some variationsthe conductive thread may be grouped prior to sewing onto a fabric orother substrate. For example, a plurality (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) ofthreads may be insulated and wound together, then stitched into asubstrate, such as the compression fabric. For example, in onevariation, an apparatus includes a garment having an IMU and two EMGswith inputs fed into circuitry (e.g., microchip) on the apparatus,including on a sensor module/manager. The components may be operated onthe same electronic ‘line’, where the line is a a plurality ofelectricall conductive threads that are combined together for stitchingthrough the substrate. In one example, two microchips can be operated bythe same ‘line’ made of 4 wires, where each wire is electricallyisolated from each other. In stitching a material, the stitch may beformed of two sets of wires; one on top of the substrate and one beneaththe substrate, as is understood from mechanical sewing devices; in somevariations a stitch formed of conductive thread may include an upperconductive thread (or group of conductive threads) and a lowerconductive thread (or group of conductive threads), where the upperconductive thread(s) is primarily on the upper surface and the lowerconductive thread(s) are primarily on the lower surface (but one oreither may pass through the substrate to engage with the other).

For example, a conductive thread may include a very fine (e.g., 0.7millimeters gauge/thickness) ‘wire’ made of 4 twisted and enameled (thuselectrically isolated from each other) wires covered with a bindingsolution (that is silicon or water based) or protected by a jacket,having a total diameter of about 0.9 millimeters. A conductive wire maybe sewn in a wavy (e.g., zig-zag) pattern, such as a pattern having 45to 90 degrees angles between the legs of the zig-zag, directly on afabric or substrate. In some example, the pattern is formed on asubstrate of material (e.g., fabric) and attached to the garment. Forexample, the substrate may be a 1 cm to 3 cm self-adhesive strip offabric.

Sensor Manager/Module

Any of the apparatuses (e.g., garments) described herein may include asensor manager (SM or SMS), shown schematically in FIG. 32A, thatconnects the sensors (including electrodes, etc.) on the garment to aprocessor, including in some variations a smartphone or other mobiledevice. The sensor manager may be a printed circuit board (PCB) that ispart of the sensorized compression garment (e.g., shirt) and may beembedded into a rigid case (as shown in FIG. 32B) placed on the shirtback, e.g., just under the neck as illustrated in FIGS. 1B, 8B, 19C,20B, 21D and 22C. It is mainly responsible for collecting andelaborating the data coming from the sensors placed all around theshirt.

As shown in FIG. 32A, the PCB forming the sensor module 3201 may includedifferent elements arranged on the PCB, such as a microcontroller 3203(e.g., CY8C5 microcontroller (68 pin)) and all the connections with aphone module 3205 (metallized drill), tights 3211 (exposed solderablemetal area) and sensors 3207, 3209 (connection with threads).

For example, electrical signals coming from the sensors may be carriedby conductive threads sewed onto the shirt fabric or onto a tape (e.g.,patch) made of the same material. All of these threads may arrive to theSM PCB and can be connected to it using connectors, or sewed/solderedaround metallized drills. In contrast to the SMS illustrated here, an SMarchitecture in which sensors are connected directly to the Phone modulewould involve a relatively high number of pins 3205 (e.g., one for eachtrace/thread coming from the sensors). This may limit the number andtype of sensors and could compromise the system stability. Thearchitecture described herein allows connection of traces (e.g.,threads) coming from the sensors directly to a microcontroller, usingdifferent types of connections (e.g., 3207, 3209) that can be placed onthe SM PCB. This way, all the sensors signals may be collected(aggregated) by the microcontroller, which will then communicate theprocessed data to the mobile processor (e.g., a smartphone) module byusing only two pins 3205, for holding a digital UART communication. Thissolution does not limit the type of number of sensors.

As shown in FIG. 32A above, this schematic shows the female connectorfor the mobile processor (e.g., smartphone) that may be used. In thisexample, the Sensor Management System (SMS) may be located in thegarment rather than on the module/phone. Thus, the number of pinsremains constant even if the number of sensors varies between garmentsor accessories. For example the numbers of pins may remain constant(e.g., at 10-15) by adapting the specific SMS to generically work withdifferent mobile processors (phones).

When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” anotherfeature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or elementor intervening features and/or elements may also be present. Incontrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directlyon” another feature or element, there are no intervening features orelements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature orelement is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” toanother feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached orcoupled to the other feature or element or intervening features orelements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element isreferred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or“directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are nointervening features or elements present. Although described or shownwith respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so describedor shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated bythose of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature thatis disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap orunderlie the adjacent feature.

Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.For example, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may beabbreviated as

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”,“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in thefigures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements orfeatures. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both anorientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms“upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are usedherein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicatedotherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describevarious features/elements, these features/elements should not be limitedby these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms maybe used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element.Thus, a first feature/element discussed below could be termed a secondfeature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed belowcould be termed a first feature/element without departing from theteachings of the present invention.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in theexamples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may beread as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if theterm does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately”may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate thatthe value and/or position described is within a reasonable expectedrange of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may havea value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1%of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (orrange of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10%of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical rangerecited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of anumber of changes may be made to various embodiments without departingfrom the scope of the invention as described by the claims. For example,the order in which various described method steps are performed mayoften be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternativeembodiments one or more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optionalfeatures of various device and system embodiments may be included insome embodiments and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing descriptionis provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not beinterpreted to limit the scope of the invention as it is set forth inthe claims.

The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way ofillustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which thesubject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may beutilized and derived there from, such that structural and logicalsubstitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter maybe referred to herein individually or collectively by the term“invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarilylimit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventiveconcept, if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. Thus, althoughspecific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable electronics device, the device comprising: a garment comprising a fabric; and at least one stretchable and conductive ink pattern on the garment, wherein the conductive ink pattern comprises: a layer of conductive ink having: between about 40-60% conductive particles, between about 30-50% binder; between about 3-7% solvent; and between about 3-7% thickener; a layer of an elastic adhesive on the garment; and an intermediate region between the conductive ink and the adhesive, the intermediate region comprising a nonhomogeneous mixture of the conductive ink and the adhesive.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the elastic layer is greater than the thickness of the intermediate region and the thickness of the layer of conductive ink is less than the thickness of the elastic layer.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the garment is configured to exert a pressure of between about 3 mm Hg and about 70 mmHg on a subject's body surface to allow a stable and continuous positioning of the garment onto the subject's body.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive particles comprise particles of carbon black.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive particles comprise particles of one or more of: carbon black, graphene, graphite, silver metal powder, copper metal powder, or iron metal powder.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the binder comprises acrylic binder.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the solvent comprises propylenyc glycol.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the thickener comprises polyurethanic thickener.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the elastic adhesive comprises a thermo-adhesive water-based glue that is electrically insulative.
 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising an insulating resin at least partially over the layer of conductive ink.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive ink pattern comprises a plurality of layers of the conductive ink.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein a resistivity of the conductive trace is less than about 10 Kohms/square.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein a resistivity of the conductive pattern varies with applied stretch.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive ink pattern is configured to stretch up to 500% of a resting length without breaking.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein conductive ink pattern is formed as a sensor.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive ink pattern is formed as a trace.
 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive ink pattern is configured as an electrode.
 18. The device of claim 1, further comprising a conductive thread coupled to the garment and connected at one end to the conductive ink pattern.
 19. A wearable electronics device, the device comprising: a garment comprising a compression fabric; and at least one stretchable and conductive ink pattern on the garment having a sheet resistivity of less than about 10 Kohms/square, wherein the conductive ink pattern is stretchable up to at least about 200% without breaking, and comprises: a layer of conductive ink having: between about 40-60% conductive particles, between about 30-50% binder; between about 3-7% solvent; and between about 3-7% thickener; a layer of an elastic adhesive on the garment; an intermediate region between the conductive ink and the adhesive, the intermediate region comprising a nonhomogeneous mixture of the conductive ink and the adhesive wherein the concentration of conductive ink decreases from a region closer to the layer of conductive ink to the layer of elastic adhesive; and an insulating resin over at least a portion of the layer of conductive ink.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein the conductive particles comprise particles of one or more of: carbon black, graphene, graphite, silver metal powder, copper metal powder, or iron metal powder.
 21. The device of claim 19, wherein the binder comprises acrylic binder.
 22. The device of claim 19, wherein the solvent comprises propylenyc glycol.
 23. The device of claim 19, wherein the thickener comprises polyurethanic thickener.
 24. The device of claim 19, wherein the elastic adhesive comprises a thermo-adhesive water-based glue that is electrically insulative.
 25. The device of claim 19, wherein the conductive ink pattern is configured as an electrode.
 26. The device of claim 19, further comprising a conductive thread coupled to the garment and connected at one end to the conductive ink pattern.
 27. A wearable electronics device, the device comprising: a garment comprising a compression fabric; at least one stretchable and conductive ink pattern on the garment, wherein the conductive ink pattern comprises: a layer of conductive ink having: between about 40-60% conductive particles, between about 30-50% binder; between about 3-7% solvent; and between about 3-7% thickener; a layer of an elastic adhesive on the garment; and an intermediate region between the conductive ink and the adhesive, the intermediate region comprising a nonhomogeneous mixture of the conductive ink and the adhesive wherein the concentration of conductive ink decreases from a region closer to the layer of conductive ink to the layer of elastic adhesive; and a conductive thread coupled to the compression fabric and electrically connected at one end region to the conductive ink, wherein the conductive thread extends along garment in a sinusoidal or zig-zag pattern.
 28. The device of claim 27, wherein the conductive thread is stitched onto the compression fabric.
 29. The device of claim 27, wherein the conductive thread is glued onto the compression fabric. 